Transmission of adult T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I) through blood transfusion and its prevention.

Cell-associated transmission of adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV/HTLV-I) suggested early in a follow-up study on recipients of blood has been supported with the latest results of an extended follow-up. Approximately 10(8) lymphocytes of blood donors carrying the antibodies against ATLV seemed to be necessary for the infection through blood transfusion. The infection transmitted by transfusion is now almost completely prevented by eliminating blood units that have been derived from blood donors having antibodies to ATLV/HTLV-I.