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Epidemiology of HTLV‐i in gabon (western equatorial Africa)
Author(s) -
Delaporte Eric,
Dupont Alain,
Peeters Martine,
Josse Richard,
Merlin Marcel,
Schrijvers Dirk,
Hamono Bernard,
Bedjabaga Léonard,
Cheringou Henri,
Boyer Franck,
BrunVézinet Françoise,
Larouzé Bernard
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910420509
Subject(s) - epidemiology , rural area , cluster (spacecraft) , cluster sampling , demography , prevalence , age groups , medicine , significant difference , geography , environmental health , population , pathology , computer science , programming language , sociology
Abstract In 1986 a survey to determine the distribution of HTLV‐I infection was conducted in Gabon in a representative sample of adults and children. Five samples were taken in adults and 2 samples in children living in urban and rural areas. Samples were taken by the cluster sampling technique, i. e. , clusters of randomly selected households. Sera were tested for IgG antibodies to HTLV‐I by ELISA. ELISA‐positive sera were retested by Western blot. The study comprised 1,874 adults and 6B4 children, all apparently healthy. In the adults the crude prevalence rates of anti‐HTLV‐I antibodies ranged from 5.0% in urban areas to 10.5% in the southern province. In rural areas, the age‐adjusted prevalence rate (9.1%) was significantly higher than in urban areas (5.0%) ( p <0.01), In children there was no significant difference between urban (2.4%) and rural (2.0%) prevalence rates. Prevalence increased with age but was not related to sex. This survey shows that HTLV‐I infection is common in Gabon but varies considerably by region.