Risk factor analysis and serological diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in a Brazilian blood donor population: validation of the World Health Organization strategy for HIV testing.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative prevalence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and to evaluate the World Health Organization testing strategy for HIV diagnosis in a low-risk population in Brazil. In addition, to assess risk factors for HIV infection. DESIGN: Sera obtained from 9885 consecutive blood donors were screened in parallel by two HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with different antigen composition and test principles (Ortho HIV-1 and Wellcozyme HIV-1/2). Samples reactive to either ELISA were submitted to a Western blot assay and to a rapid HIV-1/2 ELISA (Sero-Immuno Diagnostics). An ELISA test with specific HIV-1/HIV-2-derived synthetic peptide was used to discriminate between samples reactive on the Wellcozyme HIV-1/2 assay. Demographic and serological data were used to address risk factors for HIV infection. RESULTS: All the 28 Western blot-confirmed positive samples were reactive in both Ortho HIV-1 and Wellcozyme HIV-1/2 assays (sensitivity, 100%). The Wellcozyme HIV-1/2 specificity (99.9%) was higher than Ortho HIV-1 (99.5%). If sample reactivity to both tests was considered positive, the sensitivity and specificity of the screening would be 100%. However, further analysis with a third rapid HIV-1/2 ELISA reduced both the sensitivity and the specificity of the sequential testing strategy. Discrimination between HIV-1 and HIV-2 showed evidence for the presence of HIV-1 only. Finally, in the group aged 18-35 years, the presence of serological markers of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infections and the elevated levels of beta 2-microglobulin were variables associated with the identification of HIV-1-seropositive blood donors. CONCLUSION: In a low-risk population, application of two high quality ELISA tests with different antigens and test principles can replace the use of the Western blot. In addition to the cost being reduced by 10-16%, a rapid diagnosis and the absence of indeterminate Western blot results confer an advantage to this strategy.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I and type II infections and correlation with risk factors in blood donors from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of and risk factors for human T-lymphotropic virus type I and type II (HTLV-I, HTLV-II) infections in Brazil. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from 17,063 healthy Brazilian donors were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibody to HTLV-I/II between August 1991 and July 1993. Repeatedly reactive samples were confirmed by Western blot, and discrimination between HTLV-I and HTLV-II was made by polymerase chain reaction or synthetic peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A univariate analysis was performed on demographic and serologic data. RESULTS: HTLV-I infection was demonstrated in 83 percent of the 30 donors with reactive serologic tests (0.15% of the total tested [17,063]; 95% CI, 0.09-0.20) and HTLV-II infection in 17 percent (0.03% of the total tested [17,063]; 95% CI, 0.01-0.05). HTLV-I-positive donors were more likely than reference groups to be of Asian ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 15.1; reference group: whites), more than 50 years old (OR 4.2; reference group: 20-29 years old), and positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) (OR 21.8) or to hepatitis B core (antigen) (anti-HBc) (OR 5.7). HTLV-II showed a significant association with anti-HCV (OR 75.2) and anti-HBc (OR 21.8). Eleven of the 25 HTLV-I-positive donors were counseled. Family origin in endemic areas of Japan (n = 4), prior blood transfusion (n = 3), or sexual contact with prostitutes (n = 1) were the risk factors reported by 8 donors. In 3 white men, no risk factors could be identified. CONCLUSION: Both HTLV-I and HTLV-II occur among Brazilian blood donors. HTLV-I is associated with Asian ethnicity, greater age, and the presence of anti-HCV and anti-HBc. Three HTLV-I-positive donors had a history of blood transfusion, which emphasizes the need for HTLV-I/II screening in Brazil.