       Document 0369
 DOCN  M9440369
 TI    Human T-lymphotropic virus type II in Panamanian Guaymi Indians.
 DT    9404
 AU    Feigenbaum F; Fang C; Sandler SG; Georgetown University Medical Center,
       Washington, D.C.
 SO    Transfusion. 1994 Feb;34(2):158-61. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94143946
 AB    BACKGROUND: Currently, human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) is
       the most prevalent human retrovirus, detected in persons presenting to
       donate blood in the United States. Only scant information is available
       with which to counsel HTLV-II-seropositive deferred donors or other
       persons about the ways in which they may spread HTLV-II to others. STUDY
       DESIGN AND METHODS: To increase understanding of the modes of
       transmission of HTLV-II, a seroepidemiologic study was conducted among
       Panamanian Guaymi Indians, a recently identified focus of endemic
       HTLV-II infection. Subjects were tested for serologic evidence of
       infection by HTLV-II, HTLV type I, hepatitis B virus, and nine other
       infectious agents by enzyme immunoassays and specific confirmatory
       tests. RESULTS: Nine (8.3%) of 109 persons tested HTLV-II-seropositive.
       HTLV-II seropositivity was more likely in persons with serologic
       evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection. Sexual contact with
       HTLV-II-seropositive partners, but neither parenteral exposure nor
       breast-feeding, was identified as a risk factor for HTLV-II. CONCLUSION:
       In Guaymi Indians, HTLV-II appears to be spread primarily through sexual
       transmission.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  Child  Child, Preschool  Female  Human
       HTLV-II Antibodies/BLOOD  HTLV-II
       Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/ETHNOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *Indians, Central American
       Infant  Male  Middle Age  Panama  Pedigree  Risk Factors  Sexual
       Partners  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

