PMID- 11750240
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20020115
LR  - 20191025
IS  - 1047-2797 (Print)
IS  - 1047-2797 (Linking)
VI  - 12
IP  - 1
DP  - 2002 Jan
TI  - Epidemiologic features of HTLV-II: serologic and molecular evidence.
PG  - 46-66
AB  - PURPOSE: A literature review was performed of the three principal subpopulations 
      most commonly associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) 
      with the view of identifying the prevalence and transmission routes of HTLV-II. 
      These included blood donors (BDs), intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and 
      Amerindians (Indian populations from the Americas). We used the major criterion 
      of serological and molecular distinction between human T-cell lymphotropic virus 
      types I (HTLV-I) and II (HTLV-II). Three questions were formulated in addressing 
      the possibility that HTLV-II might be responsible for the reported prevalence and 
      transmission of this virus in these groups. Question One: Which population groups 
      have the highest HTLV-II seroprevalence rates? Question Two: Are worldwide HTLV 
      infection rates among the three sub-populations associated predominantly with the 
      HTLV-II retrovirus type? Question three: What are the principal modes of 
      transmission of HTLV-II? METHODS: Since earlier epidemiologic studies did not 
      routinely use assays capable of distinguishing between HTLV-I and HTLV-II 
      antibodies, their findings are necessarily inaccurate. However, with the more 
      recent development of enhanced serologic assays, using recombinant antigens that 
      are capable of accurately making this differentiation, it is now possible to more 
      precisely define the epidemiology of HTLV-II. We reviewed only those studies 
      where serological and molecular methods of accurately distinguishing between the 
      two retroviruses were utilized. Initially, we located 36 studies, which met this 
      particular review criterion. Of the five different assays we identified, the most 
      prevalent were the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 14) and the synthetic 
      peptide-based enzyme-linked immunoassay (Synth EIA) (n = 13). Our BD, IVDU, and 
      Amerindian groups were also evaluated according to this differentiation schema. 
      We were able to locate over 100 prevalence studies where focus was on some aspect 
      of analysis of at least one or more of these three groups. By using many search 
      terms - such as HTLV-II endemic population, seroepidemiological, as well as case 
      control and cohort studies - we were able to create a comprehensive bibliographic 
      database. RESULTS: The two groups identified with high HTLV-II prevalence rates 
      are the IVDUs and Amerindian population. The importance of breast-feeding, IVDU, 
      and contaminated blood products in the HTLV-II transmission process is confirmed. 
      Sexual intercourse, however, as a mode of HTLV-II transmission remains 
      problematic. CONCLUSIONS: By confining our evaluation to only those studies that 
      used serological and/or molecular methods capable of distinguishing between the 
      two retroviruses, we have been able to establish with confidence that there are 
      consistent emerging patterns of HTLV-II infection in these populations.
FAU - Lowis, George W
AU  - Lowis GW
AD  - Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of 
      Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
FAU - Sheremata, William A
AU  - Sheremata WA
FAU - Minagar, Alireza
AU  - Minagar A
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PT  - Review
PL  - United States
TA  - Ann Epidemiol
JT  - Annals of epidemiology
JID - 9100013
SB  - IM
MH  - *HTLV-II Infections/epidemiology/etiology/transmission
MH  - Humans
MH  - Population Surveillance
MH  - Seroepidemiologic Studies
MH  - *Substance Abuse, Intravenous
RF  - 180
EDAT- 2001/12/26 10:00
MHDA- 2002/01/16 10:01
CRDT- 2001/12/26 10:00
PHST- 2001/12/26 10:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2002/01/16 10:01 [medline]
PHST- 2001/12/26 10:00 [entrez]
AID - S1047279701002319 [pii]
AID - 10.1016/s1047-2797(01)00231-9 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Ann Epidemiol. 2002 Jan;12(1):46-66. doi: 10.1016/s1047-2797(01)00231-9.