HTLV-1 Proviral Load in Vaginal Fluid Correlates with Levels in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection is higher in women, and sexual intercourse has been described as an important route of male-to-female transmission. The present study aimed to quantify HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) in vaginal fluid, and to investigate correlations with PVL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, cytopathological alterations and vaginal microbiota were evaluated. METHODS: HTLV-1-infected women were consecutively recruited at a multidisciplinary center for HTLV patients in Salvador, Brazil. All women underwent gynecological examinations to obtain cervicovaginal fluid and venipuncture for blood collection. PVL, as measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), was expressed as the number of copies of HTLV-1/106 cells in blood and vaginal fluid samples. Light microscopy was used to assess cervicovaginal cytopathology and vaginal microbiota. RESULTS: In the 56 included women (43 asymptomatic carriers and 13 diagnosed with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis-HAM/TSP), mean age was 35.9 (SD ± 7.2) years. PVL was higher in PBMCs (median: 23,264 copies/106 cells; IQR: 6776-60,036) than in vaginal fluid (451.9 copies/106 cells; IQR: 0-2490) (p < 0.0001). PVL in PBMCs was observed to correlate directly with PVL in vaginal fluid (R = 0.37, p = 0.006). PVL was detected in the vaginal fluid of 24 of 43 (55.8%) asymptomatic women compared to 12 of 13 (92.3%) HAM/TSP patients, p = 0.02. Cytopathologic analyses revealed no differences between women with detectable or undetectable PVL. CONCLUSION: HTLV-1 proviral load is detectable in vaginal fluid and correlates directly with proviral load in peripheral blood. This finding suggests that sexual transmission of HTLV-1 from females to males may occur, as well as vertical transmission, particularly in the context of vaginal delivery.

Vaginal dryness in women infected by human T-lymphotropic virus type 1: an exploratory study.

Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) causes a variety of sicca symptoms, including xeroderma, xerostomia, and xerophthalmia. Aim: We sought to evaluate vaginal dryness via the degree of perceived vaginal lubrication, vaginal hormonal cytology, and direct measurements of vaginal wetting. Methods: The research was designed as a cross-sectional study. Vaginal dryness was assessed by scores in the lubrication domain of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and the Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI) determined by vaginal hormonal cytology, as well as the measurement of vaginal lubrication using Schirmer strips placed at the anterior vaginal wall. Medians (25th-75th percentiles) were calculated for each group and compared using a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc method. Outcomes: Outcomes were detection of the presence of vaginal dryness in women who were infected or noninfected with HTLV-1. Results: HTLV-1-infected women (n = 72, 57 asymptomatic and 15 with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP]) and uninfected women (n = 49) were studied. Women with HAM/TSP had significantly lower FSFI lubrication scores than asymptomatic and uninfected women (P = .032). In addition, women with HAM/TSP had significantly lower VMI compared with the asymptomatic and uninfected groups (P = .027 and P = .039, respectively). Clinical Implications: The results of this study show a reduction in vaginal lubrication in HTLV-1-infected women diagnosed with HAM/TSP compared with asymptomatic and uninfected women. Strengths and Limitations: The lack of a gold standard test for the diagnosis of vaginal dryness and the fact that no assessment of vaginal pH was performed were limitations of this study. The strength of the study was the comprehensive assessment of vaginal dryness from several perspectives: subjective (perception of vaginal lubrication according to the vaginal lubrication domain of the FSFI), hormonal (vaginal hormonal cytology to assess local hormone status), and the degree of vaginal moisture (direct measurement of vaginal dryness with an instrument, the Schirmer strip, already used to measure the presence of dry eye). Conclusion: HTLV-1-infected women with HAM/TSP have decreased vaginal lubrication compared with asymptomatic and uninfected women after adjusting for age.

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Is Associated With Sexual Dysfunction in Infected Women of Reproductive Age.

INTRODUCTION: Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a neurological disorder that mostly affects women. This disease is characterized by a progressive loss of motor function and disruptions in sensory function in the lower limbs. HTLV-1 is also associated with isolated neurologic dysfunctions, overactive bladder, and erectile dysfunction. The occurrence of sexual dysfunction in HTLV-1-infected women remain unclear. AIM: To investigate associations between HTLV-1 infection and sexual dysfunction in both asymptomatic infected women and those diagnosed with HAM/TSP compared with uninfected women. METHODS: HTLV-1-infected and uninfected women were assessed for sexual dysfunction using the Female Sexual Function Index instrument. Sexual dysfunction was considered if global Female Sexual Function Index scores were <26.5. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% CI were calculated to identify associations between sexual dysfunction (outcome) and HTLV infection status-asymptomatic or HAM/TSP (main exposure), compared with uninfected women, and adjusted by sociodemographic and/or clinical characteristics (covariables). RESULTS: HTLV-1-infected women (n = 72; 57 asymptomatic; 15 HAM/TSP) and HTLV-1 uninfected women (n = 49) were evaluated. The overall sexual dysfunction prevalence was 53.7% (65/121), which was higher in the HAM/TSP group (80.0%; adjusted PR 1.89; 95% CI 1.23-2.90) when compared with non-infected individuals (44.9%). Sexual dysfunction was found in 54.4% of the HTLV-1-infected asymptomatic women (PR 1.21; 95% CI 0.82-1.79). Sexual dysfunction was associated with income lower than 1 minimal wage (∼US $300, October 2017) and number of previous birthday. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate that sexual dysfunction is associated with HAM/TSP in women infected with HTLV-1 of reproductive age. Lima Lopes Martins A, Rios Grassi MF, de Aquino Firmino A, et al. Human T-Lymphotropic Virus-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Is Associated With Sexual Dysfunction in Infected Women of Reproductive Age. Sex Med 2018;6:324-331.