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Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection among immigrants in northern Italy

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Abstract

To assess the prevalence of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) and 2 (HTLV-II) infection and the associated risk factors among immigrants living in Northern Italy, we surveyed 3017 open-population subjects from three geographical areas and 371 prisoners. In the open population, the overall prevalence was 0.3% for HTLV-I and 0.1% for HTLV-II, while among prisoners, HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection were detected in 1.4 and 0.8% of subjects, respectively. HTLV-I prevalence was higher in subjects with multiple sexual partners or sexually transmitted diseases. This association was significant in the open-population group and close to significance in prisoners. Multivariate analysis showed that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity remained significantly associated with HTLV-I infection in both targeted populations (OR: 11.2 in the open population; OR: 9.9 among prisoners), whereas sexual exposure was associated with HTLV-I seropositivity only for prisoners (OR: 14.3). No independent variable was related to HTLV-II infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and IRCCS ‘Burlo Garofolo’, Italy

    F. Ansaldi, M. Comar, P. D'Agaro & C. Campello

  2. Department of Dermatology, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy

    S. Grainfenberghi

  3. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Italy

    L. Caimi, F. Gargiulo, F. Perandin & N. Manca

  4. Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy

    B. Bruzzone, R. Gasparini & G. Icardi

Authors
  1. F. Ansaldi
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  2. M. Comar
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  3. P. D'Agaro
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  4. S. Grainfenberghi
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  5. L. Caimi
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  6. F. Gargiulo
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  7. B. Bruzzone
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  8. R. Gasparini
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  9. G. Icardi
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  10. F. Perandin
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  11. C. Campello
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  12. N. Manca
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Ansaldi, F., Comar, M., D'Agaro, P. et al. Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection among immigrants in northern Italy. Eur J Epidemiol 18, 583–588 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024655228893

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024655228893

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