Seroepidemiological survey of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus among indigenous populations in Taiwan.

The prevalence of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV) was examined in Taiwan's indigenous populations. In all, 797 healthy subjects in Taiwan including Han Chinese and nine indigenous populations (Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Saisiat, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Tsuo, and Yami) were examined for the presence of antibodies to HTLV by particle agglutination, indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot test. Two seropositive cases were found in this screening. One Saisiat male and a Han Chinese female were seropositive for HTLV. The Western blot profile indicated the virus was type-1 HTLV.