OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II (anti-HTLV-I/II) in people from an HTLV-I/II-endemic area (the Caribbean) living in a nonendemic region (Canada). DESIGN: Cross-sectional household survey. SETTING: Households in Toronto in 1989. PARTICIPANTS: A modified quota sampling method was used to recruit subjects of Caribbean origin as well as other Canadians. Of 2900 people invited to participate in the study 1323, 743 of Caribbean origin, were interviewed about their background and possible exposure to HTLV-I/II. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were analysed for anti-HTLV-I/II by means of an enzyme-linked immunoassay, the result being confirmed by the Western blot technique and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. The samples were also analysed for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for surrogate markers of non-A, non-B hepatitis. RESULTS: A total of 853 blood samples (64.5%) were analysed, 483 (56.6%) from subjects of Caribbean origin. The proportion of subjects who agreed to give a blood sample was similar for the Caribbean and non-Caribbean strata. Eleven subjects, all of Caribbean origin (2.3% of the Caribbean stratum), were confirmed to be positive for anti-HTLV-I/II. There were no significant differences between the antibody-positive and antibody-negative subjects with respect to sex, age, racial origin or residence in the Caribbean for at least 22 years. All anti-HTLV-I/II-positive subjects were negative for anti-HIV and HBsAg, and four (36.4%) were positive for antibody to HBsAg and to hepatitis B core antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Except for origin, an association between antibody positivity and other factors could not be demonstrated. The findings suggest that blood donor screening might include place of origin in addition to the usual lifestyle or behavioural factors. However, the need to ensure safety of transfusion must be balanced against the need for participation of all groups in the blood transfusion program.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II (anti-HTLV-I/II) in people from an HTLV-I/II-endemic area (the Caribbean) living in a nonendemic region (Canada). DESIGN: Cross-sectional household survey. SETTING: Households in Toronto in 1989. PARTICIPANTS: A modified quota sampling method was used to recruit subjects of Caribbean origin as well as other Canadians. Of 2900 people invited to participate in the study 1323, 743 of Caribbean origin, were interviewed about their background and possible exposure to HTLV-I/II. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were analysed for anti-HTLV-I/II by means of an enzyme-linked immunoassay, the result being confirmed by the Western blot technique and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. The samples were also analysed for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for surrogate markers of non-A, non-B hepatitis. RESULTS: A total of 853 blood samples (64.5%) were analysed, 483 (56.6%) from subjects of Caribbean origin. The proportion of subjects who agreed to give a blood sample was similar for the Caribbean and non-Caribbean strata. Eleven subjects, all of Caribbean origin (2.3% of the Caribbean stratum), were confirmed to be positive for anti-HTLV-I/II. There were no significant differences between the antibody-positive and antibody-negative subjects with respect to sex, age, racial origin or residence in the Caribbean for at least 22 years. All anti-HTLV-I/II-positive subjects were negative for anti-HIV and HBsAg, and four (36.4%) were positive for antibody to HBsAg and to hepatitis B core antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Except for origin, an association between antibody positivity and other factors could not be demonstrated. The findings suggest that blood donor screening might include place of origin in addition to the usual lifestyle or behavioural factors. However, the need to ensure safety of transfusion must be balanced against the need for participation of all groups in the blood transfusion program.
Authors: T Aoki; H Miyakoshi; H Koide; T Yoshida; H Ishikawa; Y Sugisaki; M Mizukoshi; K Tamura; H Misawa; C Hamada Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 1985-03-15 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: M Robert-Guroff; S H Weiss; J A Giron; A M Jennings; H M Ginzburg; I B Margolis; W A Blattner; R C Gallo Journal: JAMA Date: 1986-06-13 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: W A Blattner; A Nomura; J W Clark; G Y Ho; Y Nakao; R Gallo; M Robert-Guroff Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1986-07 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: S Tsugane; S Watanabe; H Sugimura; T Otsu; K Tobinai; M Shimoyama; S Nanri; H Ishii Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 1988-11 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: V Manzari; A Gradilone; G Barillari; M Zani; E Collalti; F Pandolfi; G De Rossi; V Liso; P Babbo; M Robert-Guroff Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 1985-11-15 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: A E Williams; C T Fang; D J Slamon; B J Poiesz; S G Sandler; W F Darr; G Shulman; E I McGowan; D K Douglas; R J Bowman Journal: Science Date: 1988-04-29 Impact factor: 47.728