Abstract
The human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV 1/2) are well known causes of adult T cell leukemia lymphoma. Both viruses were established to be transmitted through various mode including sexual contact and blood transfusion. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 antibodies among blood donors in Public Health Laboratory. During the period of August 2019 to October 2019 a total of 394 blood samples were obtained from blood donors visiting the Blood bank of National Public Health Laboratory, both males and females were included. The blood samples were analyzed for the presence of anti - HTLV-1,2 by a commercially available enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay following the instructions of the manufacturer. The study participants were included 361 (91.6%) males and 33 (8.4%) females. The result show that of the 394 blood donors, four (4) were found to be seropositive for HTLV-1 antibodies giving a prevalence of 1.02%. While all samples were negative for the HTLV-2 antibodies. Among HTLV-1 positive cases 3 were male (75%) while only one female (25%) was found to be seropositive for HTLV-1 antibodies. None of the married donors was found to be seropositive for HTLV-1. We conclude that the seroprevalence of HTLV 1/2 were matched to the internationally estimated prevalence among blood donors at Blood Bank of national health laboratory and the majority of the cases were male under 40 years old. Further studies should be done with inclusion of more samples and using more sensitive technique like Western blot or PCR.
Highlights
The human T-lymphotropic viruses known as human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma viruses (HTLV) are RNA group of viruses those belong to retroviruses family
Result obtained by this study shows that the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 were 1.02% and 0% respectively which is similar to that found among blood donors presenting to blood banks in Mozambique where the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 were found to be 0.9% [15]
3 out of 4 HTLV-1 seropositive donors were males. This is not in conformity with studies that have shown prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 to be higher in females as opposed to males, which is related to transmission that is more efficient from men to women during sexual intercourse [18]
Summary
The human T-lymphotropic viruses known as human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma viruses (HTLV) are RNA group of viruses those belong to retroviruses family. While HTLV-2, which has four subtypes may be linked to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma [3]. Both viruses are transmitted through blood contact (blood transfusion, injected drug abuse) in addition they can transmitted through sexual contact with infected person or through breast feeding [4, 5]. Both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 are involved in actively spreading epidemics, affecting 15-20 million people worldwide [6]. There were no specific illnesses have yet been associated with HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 [6]
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