HTLV-I Seroconversion Study
Abstract
A data collection research center has been established on Okinawa for the purpose of studying the risk of HTLV-I transmission to active duty personnel stationed there. Research activities have included an HTLV-I Seroprevalence Survey and a Prospective Serologic Study for HTLV-I seroconversion. A cross- sectional serologic survey of HTLV-I antibody was conducted among 5,255 active study U.S. Marines on permanent tour stationed in Okinawa, Japan to search for risk factors of seropositivity. Participants were primarily young caucasion males. Of the 28 screen positive samples, three were confirmed positive for HTLV-I by Western Blot analysis showing bands for core and envelope reactivity. All three seropositive cases have a history of prolonged sexual contact with Okinawan women and two of the three are married to infected Okinawan wives. Two gave a prior history for gonorrhea while all 3 were negative for syphilis (MHA- TP) and Hepatitis B. No other risk factors associated with HTLV-I seropositivity in the U.S. population are identified. These data suggest that female to male transmission of HTLV-I occurs in the absence of other cofactors, e.g., ulcerative genital lesions. (kt)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA221108
Entities
People
- Stephanie Brodine