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Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection is frequent in rural communities of the southern Andes of Peru.
- Source :
-
International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases [Int J Infect Dis] 2014 Feb; Vol. 19, pp. 46-52. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Nov 19. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Objectives: To evaluate the presence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection in isolated rural communities in the southern Andes of Peru.<br />Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in five communities located in three provinces in Ayacucho, Peru. The five communities are located at >3000 meters above sea level and are mainly rural, and more than 85% of the population speaks Quechua. Volunteers aged 12 years and older were included. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected, along with a blood sample for serological testing.<br />Results: We included 397 participants; their median age was 41 years (interquartile range 31-57 years) and 69% were women. According to our definitions, 98% were of Quechua origin. HTLV-1 was diagnosed in 11 people: 0/164 in Cangallo, 3/154 (2%) in Vilcashuaman, and 8/79 (10%) in Parinacochas. There were no cases of HTLV-2. All the HTLV-1-positive participants were born in Ayacucho and were of Quechua origin; they ranged in age from 29 to 87 years (median 56 years) and 10/11 were women. Ten were apparently healthy, and one woman was diagnosed with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Three out of 11 had a family member with a lower limb impairment compatible with HAM/TSP.<br />Conclusion: The fact that HTLV-1 infection was present in two out of three provinces suggests that HTLV-1 could be highly endemic in the southern Andes in the Quechua population.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1878-3511
- Volume :
- 19
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24262672
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2013.10.005