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Seroprevalence of human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 in Korean blood donors
Author(s) -
Kwon SoYong,
Lim A Hyun,
Park Ji Young,
Han Seung Hee,
Cho NamSun
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.21260
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , serology , virology , human t lymphotropic virus , polymerase chain reaction , immunoassay , population , virus , medicine , biology , antibody , immunology , genetics , gene , environmental health , myelopathy , psychiatry , spinal cord
The seroprevalence rate of human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV) among the Korean blood donor population was studied to determine whether screening for HTLV should be implemented. A total of 15,173 serum samples collected from June to July 2006 at five Blood Centers which are located closely to Japan geographically, where the prevalence of HTLV is known to be high, were tested. Serological screening was done by a chemiluminescence method. Samples reactive repeatedly on serological screening were confirmed further by Western blot, line immunoassay, nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of proviral DNA. Six samples tested reactive with the serological assay showing a reactive rate of 0.004%. Among the six samples, one sample was confirmed as HTLV‐1 positive, giving a confirmed reactive rate of 0.007%. Based on the results of this study, an extended study will be conducted to evaluate whether introduction of HTLV screening is necessary in Korea. J. Med. Virol. 80:1864–1867, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.