Absence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection in prostitutes in the area of Seville, Spain.

Infection with human retroviruses other than HIV in Spain has only been reported in isolated cases in African immigrants and intravenous drug abusers infected with HTLV-I. The status of the prostitute population is unknown. The sera of 88 prostitutes in Seville were therefore tested for HIV, HTLV-I and HTLV-II, and relevant epidemiological data were collected on the health status, sexual practices etc. In the prostitute population studied 2.5% of the non-intravenous drug abusers and 20% of the intravenous drug abusers were positive for HIV. However, infection with HTLV-I/II could not be demonstrated in any of them.