بررسي فراواني سرمي ويروس هاي HTLV1,2 در معتادان تزريقي

Seroprevalence ofHTLVl,2 Virus Among Injection Drug Addicts inIsfahan, 2007-2008

Introduction: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), is a member of the retroviridae family. Infection with this virus leads to adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). HTLV is endemic in Japan, parts of central Africa, Caribbean basin and Iran (Mashhad). Transmission routes of HTLV are believed to be from mother to child, especially during breastfeeding, sexual contact, and through blood transfusion or needle sharing. Considering the risk of HTLV infection among injection drug addicts, the authors evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV 1,2 infection among injection drug addicts in Isfahan Methods: This cross sectional study included a total of 150 injection drug users who were recruited at the drug abuse treatment clinic and the infectious diseases department of Alzahra university Hospital. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Epidemiologic data were recorded and their blood samples were tested for HBs Ag and antibodies against HTLV 1,2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) by Elisa method . Results were analyzed by SPSS software version 13. Results: Seroprevalence of HTLV 1,2, HBV(HBs Ag), HCV and HIV was 2.7%, 1.3% 23.3% and 2.7%, respectively. Some of the subjects were co infected with two viruses. One patient was infected with both HCV Ab and HBs Ag , while another was positive for HIV Ab plus HBs Ag . Three were co infected with HCV and HIV. Among those with HTLV 1,2, only one was HCV Ab positive. Only in one person with HTLV1,2 Ab had a positive history of blood transfusion. Conclusion: This study shows that this virus is present in injection drug users community of Isfahan and can be a potential source for transmission. But proposal of screening of HTLV 1,2 among injection drug users in Isfahan requires further investigations.