HTLV-1 intrafamilial transmission through three generations in an isolated Afro-Brazilian community.

摘要

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, myelopa-thy/tropical spastic paraparesis and inflammatory syndromes such as uveitis, arthropathy, polymyositis, Sjogren's syndrome and infective dermatitis.The slave trade from Africa to the Americas was one of the HTLV-1 introduction routes in Brazil from 16th to 19th centuries. A population-based study demonstrated a prevalence of 1.76% in Salvador, a city with predominantly African descendant population.3 However, little is known about the epidemiological status of this infection in Afro-Brazilian isolated communities.