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Objective(s): HTLV-I and HIV virus quantification is an important marker for assessment of virus activities. Since there is a direct relationship between the number of virus and disease progression, HTLV-I and HIV co-infection might have an influence on the development of viral associated diseases, thus, viral replication of these viruses and co-infection were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 subjects were selected; 14 HIV infected, 20 HTLV-I infected and 6 HTLV-I/HIV co-infected subjects. The amount of viruses was measured using qPCR TaqMan method and CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: The mean viral load of HIV infected subjects and HTLV-I infected individuals were 134626.07±60031.07 copies/ml and 373.6±143.3 copies/104 cells, respectively. The mean HIV viral load in co-infected group was 158947±78203.59 copies/ml which is higher than HIV infected group. The mean proviral load of HTLV-I in co-infected group was 222.33±82.56 copies/ml which is lower than HTLV-I infected group (P<0.05). Also, the mean white blood cell count was higher in coinfected group (5666.67±1146.49 cells/μl). However, the differences between these subjects did not reach to a statistical significance within 95% confidence interval level (P =0.1). No significant differences were observed regarding CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes between these groups. Conclusion: HTLV-I/HIV co-infection might promote HIV replication and could reduce the HTLV-I proviral load, in infected cells. Considering the presence of both viruses in Khorasan provinces, it encourages researchers and health administrators to have a better understanding of co-infection outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological manifestation of HTLV-I. The northeast of Iran is an endemic area for this virus. Host genetic and viral factors play important roles in developing HAM/TSP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proviral load, and clinical features of HAM/TSP among Iranian to compare with other endemic parts of the world. Materials and Methods: In this systematic retrospective study, HTLV-I proviral load of 102 Iranian patients with HAM/TS,P and 34 healthy carriers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR assay. The diagnosis of HAM/TSP was made in accordance with the World Health Organization criteria. Results: The mean HTLV-I proviral load of Iranian HAM/TSP patients (626 ± 53.031copies/104 PBMCs) was lower than other populations (in Japanese about 800 copies/104 PBMCs and in Brazilians 912.5 ± 778.6 copies/104 PBMCs). In contrast, the mean HTLV-I proviral load amongst Iranian healthy carriers (193 ± 44.375 copies/104 PBMCs) was higher than that of Japanese healthy carriers (about 140 copies/104 PBMCs), and lower than Brazilians (240.5 ± 452.8 copies/104 PBMCs according to the literatures). The most common HAM/TSP neurological symptoms among Iranian, Japanese, and Brazilian populations were gait disturbance, urinary disturbance, paresthesias, weakness, constipation, and lower back pain. The HTLV-I proviral load in HAM/TSP patients and healthy carriers was not significantly associated with age and gender. Conclusion: Differences in HTLV-I proviral load and consequently clinical manifestations among Iranian and other endemic populations might be due the differences in host genetic background and environmental conditions of these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]