Seroincidence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection and characterization of seroconverters in Jamaican food handlers.
2003 Jul 01
Journal Article
Authors:
VanVeldhuisen, P.C.;
Walters, M.;
Sawada, T.;
Levine, P.H.;
Wilks, R.;
Hanchard, B.;
Hisada, M.
Secondary:
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
Volume:
33
Pagination:
387-92
Issue:
3
PMID:
12843751
DOI:
10.1097/00126334-200307010-00014
Keywords:
Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Viral; Biomarkers; Child; Cohort Studies; Female; Food Industry; HTLV-I Infections; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; Humans; Incidence; Jamaica; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Viral Load
Abstract:
In a prospective study of food handlers in Jamaica, we estimated the age- and sex-specific seroincidence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. Of 682 sexually active adults (132 males and 550 females) who were initially seronegative, 12 (1 male and 11 females) seroconverted over 8 years of follow-up. The seroincidence was 1.2 per 1,000 person-years for males and 3.2 per 1,000 person-years for females. The age-standardized incidence was 1.8 times higher for females than for males (P = 0.55). Within a median of 4 years after seroconversion, the median HTLV-I provirus load was 500 copies/105 cells, and the median antibody titer was 1:3109. Four of 12 seroconverters developed antibody to the Tax regulatory protein. HTLV-I infection in this population occurred at a rate comparable with that described for a Japanese cohort. Provirus load, titer and appearance of antibody to the Tax regulatory protein were typical of chronic carriers within a few years of seroconversion.
