HTLV-I seroprevalence is increased among those living at low altitude in Jamaica.

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HTLV-I seroprevalence is increased among those living at low altitude in Jamaica.
Murphy EL, Maloney E, Figueroa JP, Gibbs WN, Holding-Cobham M, Cranston B, Blattner WA.
Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 1014 (abstract no. W.G.P.26).
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102181287.html
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OBJECTIVE: To determine demographic and geographic determinants of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) seroprevalence in Jamaica, an endemic island.

METHODS: During 1985 and 1986, we measured HTLV-I antibodies using ELISA and Western blot in 13,000 Jamaican workers.

RESULTS: HTLV-I seroprevalence was strongly age- and sex-dependent, rising from 1.9% (ages 10-19) to 9.0% (ages over 70) in men and from 2.0% (ages 10-19) to 18.6% (ages over 70) in women.

Women were more likely to be seropositive than men (adjusted odds ratio = 2.23). Black men had marginally higher HTLV-I seroprevalence (M-H chi square = 0.06), but black women had equivalent prevalence to women of other races.

Current residence at altitudes of less than 1000 feet (p = .003) and birthplace outside of the Kingston metropolitan area (women only) (p = .001) were significant risk factors for HTLV-I seropositivity, after stratification by age and gender.

CONCLUSION: Older age, female gender, and black race are known risk factors for HTLV-I infection in endemic areas.

Higher HTLV-I prevalence in those residing at low elevation suggests transmission by an environmental vector, i.e., by arthropods.
Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Blotting, Western
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• HTLV-I Antibodies
• HTLV-I Infections
• Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
• Humans
• Jamaica
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Seroepidemiologic Studies

Other ID:

• 00534389

UI: 102181287