Is there any Association Between Human Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I) Infection and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? An Original Research and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE(S): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology. Some environmental factors can induce SLE in genetically susceptible individuals; for example, sun exposure and some viral infections may emerge the disease manifestations. Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) can dysregulate the human immune system, and the role of this virus in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is under investigation. There are conflicting data about the role of HTLV-I in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases such as SLE. In this study, we have focused on the correlation between HTLV-I infection and SLE in the northeast of Iran, an endemic area for the virus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty women with SLE and 915 healthy controls were screened for HTLV-I by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot method was used for confirmation of the positive results done by ELISA in the patients and the control group.

RESULTS

Two (1.5%) of the patients and 23 (2.5%) of the healthy controls were HTLV-I seropositive. There was not a statistical difference between patients and controls in the number of HTLV-I seropositive samples (P=0.49).

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional case-control study did not find any association between HTLV-I and SLE. With regard to the previous studies, these controversies may stem from differences in ethnic background. Geographical and environmental factors should also be taken into account.