Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 21, Number 2, February 2014
Abstract
Emergency whole blood transfusions may increase the risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens, including human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs). U.S. military personnel with any medical encounter for HTLV infection during 2000 2008 were identifi ed from surveillance data. Using both inclusive and restrictive case defi nitions, the incidence of diagnoses of HTLV infection was analyzed in relation to demographic factors and prior deployment. Th ere were 247 possible cases of HTLV infection identifi ed, or 1.88 cases per 100,000 person-years (p-yrs) (95% CI 1.66, 2.13). Seventy of these met the restrictive defi nition, translating to a rate of 0.53 per 100,000 p-yrs (95% CI 0.42, 0.67). Under the restrictive defi nition, a higher rate was noted among females versus males (RR 2.37; 95% CI 1.41, 3.98), service members with a healthcare occupation versus those who are primarily trained to engage in combat (RR 2.54; 95% CI 1.06, 6.10), and service members with any deployment experience (RR 8.98; 95% CI 5.61, 14.37). Th ese fi ndings, and a prior military case report of transfusion-transmitted HTLV-I, suggest a need to better defi ne the epidemiology of HTLV in U.S. military personnel to further ensure emergency transfusion safety.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA595595
Entities
Organizations
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center