Is there a focus of HTLV-II infections in the Horn of Africa?

This letter to the editor reports on a survey conducted to determine whether there was a focus of HTLV-II infection in the Horn of Africa. A total of 589 sera from 7 population groups were obtained; the sample population was composed of 97 female sex workers (FSWs) 65 former guerrilla fighters 46 truck drivers 45 port workers 113 pregnant women 161 children and 62 Rashaidas a small and isolated population group of ancient origin. The Ortho HTLV-I/HTLV-II Ab-Capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used in the screening and Western blot and Genelabs Diagnostics HTLV blot 2.4 confirmed the positive results. Out of the 589 sera 2 (0.3%) were HTLV-positive both coming from the FSW group. Their infection might have come from HTLV-II-positive foreigners they had encountered or may also have been attributable to local transmission. Findings indicate that a focus of HTLV-II may exist in the Horn of Africa; thus further investigations on this matter are needed.

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