The Prevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in the General Population is Unknown
Carol Hlela 1, Sasha Shepperd 1, Nonhlanhla P. Khumalo 1, Graham P. Taylor 1
1 NULL
*Correspondence: Carol Hlela, Email not available
Abstract
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 prevalence estimates are usually based on serological screeningof blood donors, pregnant women, and other selected population groups. Previously, data on theglobal epidemiology of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection have been summarizedunsystematically and without a focus on general populations. To assess the implications of the virusfor healthcare systems it is essential to know its past and present prevalence. The widely cited estimatethat 10-20 million people are infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 worldwide wascalculated from data that are now 25 years old. This estimate may therefore no longer reflect theglobal epidemiology. The objective of this study was to collate published data that are truly representativeof the general population through a systematic review of the literature. Fifty-nine relevant studies wereidentified and the 17 that met the inclusion criteria were all cross-sectional designs; none reportedincidence. The prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 was highest in the two studies ofJapanese islands (36.4%; 95% CI: 29.9-42.8) and lowest in studies from Mongolia, Malaysia and India.In Haiti the prevalence was 3.8% (95% CI: 1.78-5.86); in Africa between 6.6% (95% CI: 4.0-9.9) and 8.5%(95% CI: 6.99-10.10) in Gabon, and 1.05% (95% CI: 0.63-1.47) in Guinea. Only three studies were fromWest Africa and none were from the South; the only study from India was from the north of the country.We conclude that there is a paucity of general population data from countries in which human T-celllymphotropic virus type 1 is endemic, and that new studies are required to reevaluate the globalburden of infection.
