1. Serological evidence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II coinfections in HIV-1 positive patients in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil.
- Author
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Vallinoto AC, Azevedo VN, Santos DE, Caniceiro S, Mesquita FC, Hall WW, Ishak MO, and Ishak R
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Brazil epidemiology, Female, HIV Seropositivity epidemiology, HTLV-I Infections diagnosis, HTLV-II Infections diagnosis, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Risk Factors, HIV Seropositivity complications, HTLV-I Infections complications, HTLV-I Infections epidemiology, HTLV-II Infections complications, HTLV-II Infections epidemiology
- Abstract
The occurrence of HTLV-I/II and HIV-1 coinfections have been shown to be frequent, probably in consequence of their similar modes of transmission. This paper presents the prevalence of coinfection of HTLV among HIV-1 infected and AIDS patients in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. A group of 149 patients attending the AIDS Reference Unit of the State Department of Health was tested for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I/II using an enzyme immunoassay and the positive reactions were confirmed with a Western blot that discriminates between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections. Four patients (2.7%) were positive to HTLV-I, seven (4.7%) to HTLV-II and one (0.7%) showed an indeterminate pattern of reaction. The present results show for the first time in Belém not only the occurrence of HTLV-II/HIV-1 coinfections but also a higher prevalence of HTLV-II in relation to HTLV-I. Furthermore, it also enlarges the geographical limits of the endemic area for HTLV-II in the Amazon region of Brazil.
- Published
- 1998
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