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Multicenter Study
. 2017 Feb 15;18(1):64.
doi: 10.1186/s12882-017-0484-y.

Prevalence and risk factors for Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) among maintenance hemodialysis patients

Rilma F S Santos  1   2 , Gildásio C Conceição  3 , Márcia S Martins  4 , Angiolina Kraychete  4 , Maria A C Penalva  5 , Edgar M Carvalho  6   7 , Antonio Alberto Lopes  4   7 , Paulo Novis Rocha  8   7
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prevalence and risk factors for Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) among maintenance hemodialysis patients

Rilma F S Santos et al. BMC Nephrol. .

Abstract

Background: Infection with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), although asymptomatic in most cases, can lead to potentially grave consequences, such as adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis. Its prevalence varies widely across different populations and geographic regions. A population-based study in the city of Salvador, located in the Northeast region of Brazil, showed an overall prevalence of HTLV-1 seropositivity of 1.7%. Blood borne virus infections are recognized as important hazards for patients and staff in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) units but most studies focus on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses. There are scarce data about HTLV-1 infection in the MHD population. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HTLV-1 infection among MHD patients in the city of Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study nested in a prospective cohort of MHD patients enrolled from four outpatient clinics. HTLV-1 screening was performed with ELISA and positive cases were confirmed by Western Blot. Factors associated with HTLV-1 seropositivity were identified by multivariable logistic regression.

Results: 605 patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was 2.48% (15/605), which was similar to that of hepatitis B [1.98% (12/605)] and C [3.14% (19/605)] viruses in our sample. HTLV-1 seropositivity was positively associated with age [prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.08], unmarried status (POR 3.65; 95% CI 1.13-11.65), and history of blood transfusion (POR 3.35; 95% CI 1.01-11.13).

Conclusions: The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in a sample of MHD patients was similar to that of other viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C. Our data revealed that MHD patients who are older, unmarried or who have received blood transfusions are at higher risk for HTLV-1 infection.

Keywords: Blood Transfusion; Chronic Kidney 47 Disease; Hemodialysis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence and prevalence ratio of HTLV-1 seropositivity in subgroups of maintenance hemodialysis patients from four satellite clinics in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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