[HTLV-I infection in Spain. Analysis of 24 cases identified until November, 1994. Spanish Group for the Study of HTLV-I/II)].

BACKGROUND

HTLV-I is a human retrovirus which has been implicated in the genesis of tropical spastic paraparesia (TSP), adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and some patients with uveitis, subacute arthropathies and lymphocytary alveolitis. The virus is endemic in some zones of the Caribbean countries, Japan, subsaharian Africa, Middle East and Melanesia. Given that HTLV-I is transmitted by similar routes as HIV, anti-HTLV-I antibody screening is carried out in blood donors in some countries.

METHODS

The clinical, epidemiologic and virologic characteristics of the patients with HTLV-I infection identified in Spain up to November 1994 are described.

RESULTS

Twenty-four Spanish residents have been identified with HTLV-I infection including 16 Spaniards and 8 immigrants from endemic areas. Thirteen (53%) are males and 11 (47%) females. Most of the persons born in Spain (12/16; 75%) have lived in endemic areas or have maintained sexual relations with natives of them. Four patients were diagnosed with TSP, three with ATL and another with lymphomatoid granulomatosis and angiocentric T-cell lymphoma. The remaining patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Two HTLV-I carriers were identified on blood donation.

CONCLUSIONS

HTLV-I infection is present in Spain being found in Spanish natives and, to a lesser degree, in immigrants from endemic areas. It is therefore recommendable to analyze the cost-benefit of anti-HTLV-I screening in blood donors.