Risk factors for HTLV-II infection in Peruvian men who have sex with men

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 May;74(5):922-5.

Abstract

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-II (HTLV-II) infection is endemic in indigenous groups in the Americas and injection drug users (IDUs) worldwide. In Peru, HTLV-II infection was previously identified in two indigenous Amazonians. We examined risk factors for HTLV-II infection in 2,703 Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM): 35 (1.3%) were HTLV-II positive. HTLV-II infection was associated with syphilis, HSV-2 infection, unprotected receptive anal intercourse, and older age. This is the first report of HTLV-II in a non-indigenous non-IDU population in Peru. Additional studies are needed to determine if HTLV-II is a sexually transmitted infection in this and other sexually active populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • HTLV-II Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-II Infections / etiology
  • HTLV-II Infections / prevention & control
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Syphilis