Premium
Polyclonal integration of HTLV‐I proviral DNA in lymphocytes from HTLV‐I seropositive individuals: an intermediate state between the healthy carrier state and smouldering ATL
Author(s) -
Yamaguchi Kazunari,
Kiyokawa Tetsuyuki,
Nakada Kiyonobu,
Yul Lee Song,
Asou Norio,
Ishii Toshinori,
Sanada Isao,
Seiki Motoharu,
Yoshida Mitsuaki,
Matutes Estela,
Catovsky Daniel,
Takatsuki Kiyoshi
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1988.tb06185.x
Subject(s) - polyclonal antibodies , immunology , antibody , virology , biology , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , monoclonal , human t lymphotropic virus 1 , cd8 , medicine , monoclonal antibody , antigen , virus , t cell leukemia , genetics , in vitro
Summary We have studied 15 individuals (aged 14‐74 years) with antibodies to HTLV‐I in their serum and random integration of HTLV‐I proviral DNA in their peripheral blood lymphocytes. All but one of these patients suffered from a variety of non‐specific complaints which did not correspond to those of adult T‐cell leukaemia (ATL). All of them were born in Kyushu and Okinawa which are endemic areas for HTLV‐I infection; 25% of their family members were also seropositive for HTLV‐I. The only haematological abnormality in these patients was the presence of few atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood. The CD4/CD8 ratios were normal but the proportion of Tac positive cells was slightly higher than normal. These individuals with polyclonal integration of HTLV‐I proviral DNA seem to represent an intermediate state between smouldering ATL (monoclonal integration) and healthy HTLV‐I carriers (with antibodies but no detectable HTLV‐I proviral DNA). Patients with this intermediate state of HTLV‐I infection may be at risk to progress to ATL. The natural history of HTLV‐I infection in humans leading to the development of ATL is reviewed in the light of these new findings.