Distribution and possible spread of human T-cell leukaemia virus type I in human communities in the northern and eastern Transvaal.

The prevalence of serum antibodies which probably indicate infection with a human T-cell leukaemia virus type I was determined among random population samples of more than 100 healthy black individuals in several localities in Transvaal. The percentage of seropositive subjects increases northwards and eastwards, where geoclimatic conditions are similar to those of endemic areas elsewhere in the world. The comparatively higher prevalence among females in the Kruger National Park suggests that this is predominantly a sexually transmitted disease.