Dia Mundial do HTLV - 10 de Novembro / World HTLV Day - November 10th

O dia 10 de novembro foi instituído como Dia Mundial do HTLV pela Associação Internacional de Retrovirologia (IRVA International Retrovirology Association). O objetivo deste ato foi de informar e mobilizar a sociedade e o poder público para o significado da infecção ocasionada pelo primeiro retrovírus humano descrito, o vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV1), as doenças a ele associadas, seu impacto na saúde pública e os meios de contê-lo. Como o Brasil é o país da América Latina com o maior número absoluto de casos desta infecção viral, foi elaborado o presente texto que traz as informações relevantes sobre o HTLV-1 para a comunidade científica.(AU)

The November 10th was instituted as the World HTLV Day by the International Retrovirology Association (IRVA), aiming informing and mobilizing the society and the public authorities on the significance of this infection caused by the first known human retrovirus, the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The associated diseases, the impact in the public health, and the means to block its transmission were reviewed. Considering that Brazil, the country in the Latin America, has been presenting the highest number of HTLV-1-infected individuals, this text was written for giving the relevant information concerning the HTLV-1 infection to the scientific community.(AU)

Dia Mundial do HTLV - 10 de Novembro / World HTLV Day - November 10th

O dia 10 de novembro foi instituído como Dia Mundial do HTLV pela Associação Internacional de Retrovirologia (IRVA – International Retrovirology Association). O objetivo deste ato foi de informar e mobilizar a sociedade e o poder público para o significado da infecção ocasionada pelo primeiro retrovírus humano descrito, o vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV1), as doenças a ele associadas, seu impacto na saúde pública e os meios de contê-lo. Como o Brasil é o país da América Latina com o maior número absoluto de casos desta infecção viral, foi elaborado o presente texto que traz as informações relevantes sobre o HTLV-1 para a comunidade científica.

The November 10th was instituted as the World HTLV Day by the International Retrovirology Association (IRVA), aiming informing and mobilizing the society and the public authorities on the significance of this infection caused by the first known human retrovirus, the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The associated diseases, the impact in the public health, and the means to block its transmission were reviewed. Considering that Brazil, the country in the Latin America, has been presenting the highest number of HTLV-1-infected individuals, this text was written for giving the relevant information concerning the HTLV-1 infection to the scientific community.

Vaccination against δ-retroviruses: the bovine leukemia virus paradigm.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) are closely related d-retroviruses that induce hematological diseases. HTLV-1 infects about 15 million people worldwide, mainly in subtropical areas. HTLV-1 induces a wide spectrum of diseases (e.g., HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis) and leukemia/lymphoma (adult T-cell leukemia). Bovine leukemia virus is a major pathogen of cattle, causing important economic losses due to a reduction in production, export limitations and lymphoma-associated death. In the absence of satisfactory treatment for these diseases and besides the prevention of transmission, the best option to reduce the prevalence of d-retroviruses is vaccination. Here, we provide an overview of the different vaccination strategies in the BLV model and outline key parameters required for vaccine efficacy.

HTLV em gestantes de dois municípios da região sul da Bahia e avaliação da transmissão materno-infantil / HTLV in pregnant women in two cities of southern Bahia and evaluation of maternal-infant transmission

A prevalência de HTLV- 1 no Brasil é diversa, dependendo tanto da região geográfica quanto do grupo analisado. Um estudo populacional realizado em Salvador detectou prevalência de 1,76%, além de maior prevalência em mulheres e associação com menores níveis de escolaridade e renda. Como a via mais frequente de transmissão vertical do HTLV-1 é a amamentação e considerando a maior prevalência nas mulheres, é muito importante a realização de exames de triagem para HTLV-1 como parte do prénatal. Até o momento, não existem estudos publicados sobre a soroprevalência do HTLV-1 em gestantes na região sul da Bahia. No presente estudo, as gestantes foram selecionadas em dois centros de referência regionais de saúde do sul da Bahia. Um total de 2.766 gestantes atendidas na sala de pré-parto entre novembro de 2008 e maio de 2010 foram analisados. Um questionário foi aplicado, e todas as amostras de plasma reagentes foram testadas em duplicata e confirmadas por Western blot e PCR. Além disso, mulheres positivas foram contactadas e visitadas. Os membros da família que estavam presentes durante a visita foram convidados a serem testados para o HTLV...

The prevalence of HTLV-1 in Brazil is diverse, depending on both the geographic region and the group analyzed. A study conducted on general population revealed that the prevalence in Salvador was 1.76%. Besides, it was also found that the prevalence was higher amongst women and that the virus was associated with lower education and lower income. As the most frequent pathway of vertical transmission of HTLV-1 is breast-feeding, and considering the higher prevalence in women, it is very important to perform screening examinations for anti-HTLV-1...

HTLV in the Americas: challenges and perspectives.

The first description of the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was made in 1980, followed closely by the discovery of HTLV-2, in 1982. Since then, the main characteristics of these viruses, commonly referred to as HTLV-1/2, have been thoroughly studied. Central and South America and the Caribbean are areas of high prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTVL-2 and have clusters of infected people. The major modes of transmission have been through sexual contact, blood, and mother to child via breast-feeding. HTLV-1 is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), and HTLV-associated uveitis as well as infectious dermatitis of children. More clarification is needed in the possible role of HTLV in rheumatologic, psychiatric, and infectious diseases. Since cures for ATL and HAM/TSP are lacking and no vaccine is available to prevent HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 transmission, these illnesses impose enormous social and financial costs on infected individuals, their families, and health care systems. For this reason, public health interventions aimed at counseling and educating high-risk individuals and populations are of vital importance. In the Americas this is especially important in the areas of high prevalence.

HTLV in the Americas: challenges and perspectives / El virus de la leucemia humana de células T (VLHT) en las Américas: retos y perspectivas

La primera descripción del virus de la leucemia humana de células T tipo 1 (VLHT-1) se hizo en 1980, y al poco tiempo, en 1982, se descubrió el VLHT-2. Desde entonces las características principales de estos virus, a los que a menudo se les llama VLHT-1/2, se han estudiado exhaustivamente. Centroamérica, América del Sur y el Caribe son áreas con una alta prevalencia de VLHT-1 y VLHT-2 donde hay conglomerados de personas infectadas. Las principales vías de transmisión han sido el contacto sexual, la sangre y sus derivados, y la de madre a hijo por la leche materna. El VLHT-1 se asocia con la leucemia o el linfoma de células T maduras (LTM), la mielopatía o paraparesia tropical espástica ligada al VLHT (M/PTE), y la uveítis ligada al VLHT, así como con la dermatitis infecciosa de la infancia. Se necesita más información acerca del posible papel que desempeña el VLHT en la aparición de enfermedades reumáticas, psiquiátricas e infecciosas. En vista de que no se dispone de ninguna cura para la LTM ni la M/PTE, como tampoco de ninguna vacuna para prevenir la transmisión del VLHT-1 y VLHT-2, estas enfermedades acarrean enormes costos sociales y económicos para las personas infectadas, sus parientes y los sistemas de salud. Por este motivo, las intervenciones sanitarias orientadas a asesorar e instruir a personas y poblaciones en alto riesgo revisten una importancia crítica. En el continente americano esto cobra aun más importancia en zonas de alta prevalencia.

The first description of the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was made in 1980, followed closely by the discovery of HTLV-2, in 1982. Since then, the main characteristics of these viruses, commonly referred to as HTLV-1/2, have been thoroughly studied. Central and South America and the Caribbean are areas of high prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTVL-2 and have clusters of infected people. The major modes of transmission have been through sexual contact, blood, and mother to child via breast-feeding. HTLV-1 is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/ TSP), and HTLV-associated uveitis as well as infectious dermatitis of children. More clarification is needed in the possible role of HTLV in rheumatologic, psychiatric, and infectious diseases. Since cures for ATL and HAM/TSP are lacking and no vaccine is available to prevent HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 transmission, these illnesses impose enormous social and financial costs on infected individuals, their families, and health care systems. For this reason, public health interventions aimed at counseling and educating high-risk individuals and populations are of vital importance. In the Americas this is especially important in the areas of high prevalence.

La prevención de la infección por el VIH en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes / Prevention against HIV infection in adolecentes and young adults

La prevención de la infección por el VIH en las comunidades escolares y universitarias adquiere una importancia transcedental entre los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes donde el riesgo de infección es por edad, ocupacion y ubicación, agregándose el factor de convivencia con otros grupos de alto índice de infección omo lo son los maestros y los trabajadores. Se requieren estrategias adecuadas para grupos específicos. En este trabajo se da a conocer la estrategia de la UNAM a través de una programa de tabajo realizado por un equipo de salud inter y multidisciplinario integrado en una comisión de prevención y control del SIDA que ha realizado acciones de información en la comunidad estudantil, detección, atención médica y psicológica, seguimiento y derivación. Los esfuerzos se han orientado también a la educación para la salud a través de la información y adiestramiento a profesores para que incluyan en sus clases tópicos preventivos del mismo. Consideramos importante la acción inmediata en la prevención de la infección por el VIH en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes por medio de acciones específicas y organizadas a cargo de personal de salud competente y las organizaciones comuntarias

The prevention of VIH infection in school and universitary communities acquires great importance in adolescents and young adults where the risk of HIV infection is caused by age, occupation, location, and also adjoining relations with other groups of high incidence of of infection, such as teachers and administrative employees. Adequate strategies for specific groups are needed. This paper focuses on the strategies developed at the National Autonomous University, of Mexico. An interdisciplinary health com- mission for the prevention and control of ADS was established to infonn the student body. Other activities per- fonned by this commission include providing medical and psychological attention for ~ms victims, as well as detecting and carring out follow-up studies of infected students. Eflorts in health education have also been mude by trainning profesors to include preventive memures against this disease as part of their subject matter. Specific, organized, and immediate action must be talten by health personnel and commwaity organizatons in order to prevent HIV infection in adolescents and young adults.