HTLV is as prevalent as HIV among UK infants

Like HIV, human T cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV) is transmitted through sexual contact, blood donations, and breast feeding, but less is known about the prevalence of HTLV in the United Kingdom. Ades et al (p 1497) used dried blood samples from babies born in the North Thames region to assess the prevalence of HTLV among pregnant women. They found that the prevalence was comparable to that of HIV, with most cases being in babies whose mothers were from endemic areas, primarily the Caribbean and west and central Africa. The authors suggest that screening of first time blood donations would be appropriate and that the value of antenatal screening now requires a thorough economic evaluation.

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Relevant Article

Human T cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus infection in pregnant women in the United Kingdom: population study

A E Ades, Simon Parker, Jane Walker, Mark Edginton, Graham P Taylor, and Jonathan N Weber
BMJ 2000 320: 1497-1501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]