A case series on UCB seroprevalance of Human T-lymphotropic virus

Abstract

Background: Human T-cell lymphotrophic Virus 1 (HTLV)-1 is a delta retrovirus endemic in the Caribbean, parts of South America, West Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In the Caribbean, 2-5% of adults are infected. Breast feeding is the most common form of transmission. HTLV-1 is an abbreviation for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, also called human T-cell leukemia type 1, a virus that has been implicated in several kinds of diseases, including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, and as a virus cancer link for leukemia (T-cell leukemia/lymphoma). Methods and materials: The trial was conducted at Cord life Sciences Cord blood Bank from a period from 30 April2018 to 30th April, 2019.A total of 8400 umbilical cord blood donors were studied. All subjects were counseled pre-donation about the all the serology tests that would be conducted. The cord blood was transported to the cord blood bank maintaining complete cold chain and our TAT of 72 hours was maintained without any exceptions during the trial. Each sample was tested by Chemiluminescence technology three times and the results were analysed. Another fresh sample was then taken from the suspected subjects and tested via Chemiluminescence technology in the same setting as before. Thereafter results were analysed. Results: 10 umbilical cord blood donors were positive (above cut off 0. 8 samples The repeat sample which were redrawn within 72 hours of previous sample collection were tested in the same setting under similar circumstances with the same kit batch and it too tested positive for all 10 samples. Conclusion: HTLV-1 seroprevalence in adults is estimated to be at least 1–2% The main highly endemic areas are the south-western part of Japan, some parts of the Caribbean and its surroundings regions.We recommend that mothers with positive or indeterminate supplemental test results have follow-up NAT. We recommend that mothers with positive or indeterminate supplemental test results have must be followed up on a priority basis Nucleic Acid Testing or Western Blot assay.