Hospital-based surveillance for HTLV-1/2 infections in Spain

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2007 Sep;23(9):1075-7. doi: 10.1089/aid.2006.0192.

Abstract

In Western countries, HTLV-1 infection is recognized mainly among foreigners coming from endemic areas. In contrast, HTLV-2 is found predominantly in native intravenous drug users (IDUs). Spain has experienced a large wave of immigration, which could have influenced the current prevalence and distribution of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection. A 1-day cross-sectional survey was carried out in May 2005 in 13 hospitals distributed across Spain. A total of 2873 outpatient subjects were screened for HTLV-1/2 antibodies. Although the majority of the study population consisted of native Spaniards, 206 (7.2%) were immigrants. Two cases of HTLV-1 and one of HTLV-2 infection were found (overall prevalence, 0.1%). The two individuals with HTLV-1 were immigrants from endemic areas and the single case of HTLV-2 infection was a former Spaniard IDU coinfected with HIV-1. In summary, the current prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in Spain is low, with no evidence of spread beyond the classical risk groups. However, a rapidly growing population of immigrants from HTLV-1-endemic areas in Spain could modify this pattern and periodic surveillance studies including both natives and immigrants are warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / blood*
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / virology
  • HTLV-II Antibodies / blood*
  • HTLV-II Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-II Infections / virology
  • Hospitals*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Prevalence
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • HTLV-I Antibodies
  • HTLV-II Antibodies