Silent dissemination of HTLV-1 in an endemic area of Argentina. Epidemiological and molecular evidence of intrafamilial transmission

PLOS ONE

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

Lugar: San Francisco; Año: 2017

1932-6203

ackgroundMolecular and epidemiological studies of transmission routes and risk factors for infectionby HTLV-1 are extremely important in order to implement control measures, especiallybecause of the high prevalence of HTLV-1 in several regions of the world. San Salvador deJujuy, Northwest Argentina, is a highly endemic area for HTLV-1 and foci of tropical spasticparaparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.ObjectiveTo gain further insight into the role of intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1 in a highlyendemic region in Argentina.MethodCross-sectional study in Northwest Argentina. Epidemiological data and blood sampleswere collected from 28 HTLV-1 infected subjects (index cases) and 92 close relatives/cohabitants. HTLV-1 infection was diagnosed by detection of antibodies and proviral DNA.The LTR region was sequenced and analyzed for genetic distances (VESPA software), inaddition to determination and identification of polymorphisms to define HTLV-1 familysignatures.ResultsFifty seven of th