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Stable human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) subtype a/subgroup a endemicity in Amerindians from Northwest Argentina: A health problem to be resolved
Author(s) -
Eirin Maria E.,
Berini Carolina A.,
Jones Leandro R.,
Dilernia Dario A.,
Puca Alberto A.,
Biglione Mirna M.
Publication year - 2010
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.21834
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , virology , phylogenetic tree , transmission (telecommunications) , human t lymphotropic virus , phylogenetics , virus , public health , biology , geography , serology , antibody , medicine , immunology , genetics , gene , neuroscience , myelopathy , spinal cord , electrical engineering , engineering , nursing
Jujuy province, in Northwest Argentina, is known to be endemic for HTLV‐1 infection. Moreover, foci of HTLV‐1 associated pathologies have also been described in this region. To gain an insight into the current situation of HTLV‐1/2 in this endemic area, a seroprevalence and phylogenetic study was performed among a Kolla community from Abra Pampa city and surroundings. Out of 112 individuals, 11 (9.8%) were confirmed as HTLV‐1 positive and no HTLV‐2 infection was detected. The phylogenetic analysis of the LTR region showed that all the HTLV‐1 sequences belonged to the Cosmopolitan subtype a/transcontinental subgroup A, and were closely related to reference sequences from Peru, Argentina, and the South of Brazil ( P = 0.82). Considering the cultural and historical features of this community and in spite of the mandatory detection of anti‐HTLV‐1/2 antibodies in blood banks since 2005, it would be important to implement new public health measures focused on decreasing HTLV‐1 transmission in this endemic area. J. Med. Virol. 82:2116–2122, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.