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Abstract

Title: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I infection in Barbados: results of a 20-year follow-up study.
Author: Rabkin CS, Corbin DO, Felton S, Barker H, Davison D, Dearden C, Blattner WA, Evans AS
Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 12(5):519-522
Year: 1996
Month: August

Abstract: Forty-one human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1)-seropositive individuals were identified among 1,012 subjects with stored serum samples from a health and seroepidemiological survey conducted in Barbados in 1972. These 41 subjects plus 79 HTLV-1 seronegative household members were targeted in a follow-up study 20 years later. Sixteen seropositive subjects and 22 seronegative subjects were interviewed, examined, and phlebotomized. There were no changes in HTLV-1 serostatus between the 1972 and follow-up serum samples. Three (19%) of the seropositive subjects had HTLV-1-associated disorders: two with dermatitis and one with 'smoldering' adult T-cell leukemia. Neurologic and immunologic function was similar in HTLV-1-seropositive and HTLV-1-seronegative subjects. HTLV-1 antibodies persist over many years, and the risk for seroconversion of household contacts is low.