A seroepidemiological survey of HTLV-I/HTLV-II in selected Belgian populations

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1990 Jul;6(7):827-30. doi: 10.1089/aid.1990.6.827.

Abstract

A preliminary survey of the prevalence of HTLV-I antibody during 1987 and 1988 in Belgium revealed no positive results among selected blood donors who sided for some length of time in areas where HTLV-I/HTLV-II is endemic (n = 270), in development-aid workers (n = 145), or in missionaries (n = 35) serving in developing countries. Among foreign groups, African students (n = 212), and political refugees (n = 311), HTLV-I/HTLV-II antibodies were detected and confirmed in 3 cases. Limited data from 1987 and 1988 suggest that HTLV-I/HTLV-II poses no major public health problem in Belgium.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Child
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / blood*
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / immunology
  • HTLV-II Antibodies / blood*
  • HTLV-II Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-II Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • HTLV-I Antibodies
  • HTLV-II Antibodies