RT Journal Article
T1 Clinical Presentation of Individuals With Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 Infection in Spain.
A1 De Mendoza, Carmen
A1 Pirón, Maria
A1 Gonzalez, Rocío
A1 Jiménez, Ana
A1 Caballero, Estrella
A1 Roc, Lourdes
A1 Benito, Rafael
A1 Ramos, Jose Manuel
A1 Soriano, Vicente
A1 HTLV Spanish Study Group, 
K1 HTLV-1
K1 adult T-cell leukemia
K1 epidemiology
K1 myelopathy
K1 screening
AB Although only 8%-10% of persons infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may develop virus-associated diseases lifelong, misdiagnosis of asymptomatic infected carriers frequently leads to late diagnoses. A nationwide HTLV-1 register was created in Spain in 1989. A total of 351 infected persons had been reported by the end of 2017. We examined all new HTLV-1 diagnoses during the last decade and compared their clinical presentation. A total of 247 individuals with HTLV-1 infection had been reported in Spain since year 2008. The incidence has remained stable with 20-25 new diagnoses yearly. Women represented 62%. Only 12% were native Spaniards, most of whom were foreigners from Latin America (72.5%). Up to 57 (23%) individuals presented clinically with HTLV-1-associated conditions, including subacute myelopathy (n = 24; 42.1%), T-cell lymphoma (n = 19; 33.3%), or Strongyloides stercoralis infestation (n = 8; 14%). Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 diagnosis had been made either at blood banks (n = 109; 44%) or at clinics (n = 138; 56%). It is interesting to note that Spaniards and especially Africans were overrepresented among patients presenting with HTLV-1-associated illnesses, suggesting that misdiagnosis and late presentation are more frequent in these populations compared to Latin Americans. Given that 23% of new HTLV-1 diagnoses in Spain are symptomatic, underdiagnosis must be common. Although screening in blood banks mostly identifies asymptomatic Latin American carriers, a disproportionately high number of Spaniards and Africans are unveiled too late, that is, they already suffer from classic HTLV-1 illnesses.
SN 2328-8957
YR 2019
FD 2019-01-16
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13640
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13640
LA en
DS RISalud
RD Apr 12, 2025