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bjective. To determine the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection among patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, as well as among their family members and sexual contacts, at two sentinel sites in Cuba. Methods. An analysis was conducted of all the patients with a presumptive diagnosis of hematological malignancies seen by the hematology departments of the Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras (HHA), City of Havana, and the Hospital Provincial Comandante Faustino Pérez (HPCFP), Matanza, Cuba, in January 1996-January 1997. HTLV-I seropositivity was determined by ELISA and Western Blot, and infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The positive patients' family members and sexual contacts were also assessed. The Z-test was used to compare proportions. Results. Seroprevalence of HTLV-I infection in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders was 0.4% higher at the HPCFP than at the HHA (6.1% versus 0.2%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in prevalence by age, sex, or skin color. Of the 53 family members and sexual contacts studied, 8 (15.1%) were positive for HTLV-I infection. Conclusion. The prevalence of HTLV-I in the study group was higher than previously found in Cuba. The value of seroepidemiological surveillance through sentinel sites was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sexual transmission of the virus and infection from contaminated needles used for vaccinations may explain the high rate of human T-cell leukemia virus I (HTLV-I) infection among patients at two leprosy sanatoriums in Japan. Researchers found that 8.4% of 450 leprosy patients at one facility and 8.6% of 394 patients at another facility tested positive for HTLV-I. The sanatoriums are located in regions where HTLV-I prevalence is less than 1%. Shared needles for vaccinations in 1960-1980, and transmission between married partners, likely resulted in the higher rates of the infection.

The prevalence of infections with retroviruses in kidney transplant recipients was examined. Blood samples from 224 patients undergoing kidney transplantation between 1979 and 1985 were tested for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Four patients were infected with HIV-1 and two with HTLV-I. All four patients with HIV infection had no evidence of the infection before transplantation, but briefly developed HIV-1 antigenemia, the presence of portions of HIV in the blood that may cause an immune or natural defense reaction. One HIV-1-infected patient with retroviral infection died two years after transplantation, from Kaposi's sarcoma, cancerous growths on the skin and other body sites. Another HIV-1-infected patient remains alive with no symptoms after four years, whereas two other HIV-1-infected patients rejected their transplanted kidneys and are without symptoms, but require hemodialysis to filter their blood. Of the two patients with HTLV-I infection, the retrovirus was detected in one patient before transplantation and in the other patient after receiving the transplant. Both HTLV-I-infected patients are without symptoms three years after kidney transplantation. Intravenous drug use was not a risk factor in these patients, and retroviral infection probably did not result from blood transfusions during transplantation. However, transmission of retroviruses through contaminated donor kidneys should be considered as a cause of retroviral infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

http://discovermagazine.com/2000/mar/breakmigrant

A timely piece by Eric Caumes, MD, and Jay S. Keystone, MD, emphasizes the risk of travelers acquiring acute strongyloidiasis while walking barefoot in tropical and subtropical areas in two cases published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. This review begins with the current case of an individual in Rhode Island with chronic strongyloidiasis - the "time bomb" - and acute T-cell leukemia associated with HTLV-1 infection who faces imminent chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study of 115 HTLV-1 infected Brazilian blood donors without myelopathy and 115 age -- and sex-matched seronegative controls was performed. Compared with controls, HTLV-1 infected donors were more likely to report arm or leg weakness, hand or foot numbness, arthralgias, nocturia, erectile dysfunction or to have gingivitis, periodontitis and dry oral mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of the article `Association Between Maternal Antibodies to the External Envelope Glycoprotein and Vertical Transmission of Human T-lymphotropic Virus Type I--Maternal Anti-ENV Antibodies Correlate With Protection in Non-Breast-Fed Children,' by S. Hino et al which appeared in the June 1995 issue of `Journal of Clinical Investigation.'

Reports that a new support group for persons who have tested positive to the HTLV-3 antibody is conducted weekly at the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County, California. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on the homosexual population.

Responds to an inquiry on how to treat a patient found to be infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) during testing for blood donation. Treatment with interferon-alpha and zidovudine for symptomatic individuals.