[HTLV-II infection in Spain. Analysis of 113 cases identified until November, 1994. Spanish Group for the Study of HTLV/I/II].

BACKGROUND

HTLV-II is a human retrovirus considered to be responsible for the genesis of some lymphoproliferative and neurologic syndromes. The virus is endemic in some Amerindian and African tribes as well amongst injecting drug addicts (IDA) in North America and Europe.

METHODS

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

RESULTS

One hundred thirteen subjects have been identified with HTLV-II infection in Spain with 4 being African immigrants residing in Madrid and the remaining being IDA from other European countries. Most were males (94/113; 83%). All were IDA except six (5 had acquired the infection by sexual contact and one by blood transfusion). Most of the IDA infected with HTLV-II were coinfected with HIV-1 (93/113; 83%). No patient showed clinical manifestations attributable to HTLV-II infection although one drug addict male coinfected with HIV-1 and HTLV-II developed a non-inflammatory proximal myopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection by HTLV-II is present in Spain and affects with preference to injecting drug addicts. It has been shown to be of growing incidence with a current global prevalence of 2% in IDA.