HTLV, also known as human T-cell lymphotropic virus, is a type of virus in the Retroviridae family and, in most cases, does not cause disease or symptoms, being underdiagnosed, so far there is no specific treatment, so important for prevention and medical follow-up.
There are two types of HTLV viruses, HTLV 1 and 2, that can be differentiated by a small part of its structure and the cells they attack, in which HTLV-1 mainly invades CD4 lymphocytes, while HTLV-2 invades the CD8 type lymphocytes.
- This virus can be transmitted from person to person through unprotected sex or by sharing disposable equipment.
- Such as needles and syringes.
- For example.
- Mainly between injectable drug users.
- As well as transmission from the infected mother to the newborn and lactation.
Most people with HTLV have no signs or symptoms and this virus is discovered in routine tests; However, although this is not common, some people infected with HTLV-1 show signs and symptoms that vary depending on the disease caused by the virus and there may be neurological or haematological disorders:
In addition, HTLV-1 infection may be associated with other diseases, such as polio, arthritis, uveitis and dermatitis, depending on the state of the person’s immune system and the location of the infection. The HTLV-2 virus so far is not associated with any type of infection, however, it can cause symptoms similar to those caused by the HTLV-1 virus.
Transmission of this virus occurs mainly through unprotected sex, but can also occur through blood transfusions, sharing contaminated products, or mother-to-child through breastfeeding or childbirth, for example, people who have an early and active sex life, who have sexual transmission. inflammatory infections, or that require or perform multiple transfusions, have an increased risk of infecting or transmitting the HTLV virus.
Treatment of HTLV infection is not yet well established due to the low likelihood that the virus will cause disease and therefore signs or symptoms. In cases where HTLV-1 virus causes paraparesia, physiotherapy may be recommended to maintain limb mobility and stimulate muscle strength, as well as medications that control muscle spasms and relieve pain.
For T-cell leukemia, the indicated treatment may be chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant.
In the absence of treatment, it is important that people diagnosed with HTLV are monitored periodically by testing to verify the reproductive capacity of the virus and the likelihood of viral transmission.
Although there is no targeted treatment for the HTLV virus, a rapid diagnosis of the infection is important so that treatment can be started quickly so that more appropriate treatment can be established based on the compensation caused by the virus.
Prevention of HTLV infection can be done by using condoms during sex, the absence of sharing disposable equipment, such as syringes and needles, for example. In addition, the person with the HTLV virus cannot donate blood or organs and, if the woman is infected with the virus, breastfeeding is contradicted because the virus can be transmitted to the child, in these cases the use of infant formula is recommended.
The diagnosis of the HTLV virus is made by serological and molecular means, usually the ELISA test is performed and, if positive, confirmed by the Western blot method. False negatives are rare because the method used to detect the virus is very sensitive and specific.
To diagnose the presence of this virus in the body, a small sample of the person’s blood is usually taken, which is sent to the laboratory, where tests will be performed to identify the antibodies produced by the body against this virus.
HTLV and HIV viruses, although they invade the body’s white blood cells, lymphocytes, are not the same. HtLV virus and HIV have in common the fact that they are retroviruses and have the same form of transmission, however the HTLV virus is not. capable of becoming an HIV virus or causing AIDS. Learn more about THE HIV virus.