AUTOANTIBODIES AND IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN ATOMIC-BOMB SURVIVORS WITH HUMAN T-LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE-I

The association of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) with aut oimmune disorders was investigated on the basis of prevalence of antin uclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor and anti-thyroglobulin antibo dy as well as immunoglobulin (Ig) serum level (IgG, IgA, and IgM), The subjects, all atomic bomb survivors, were 59 HTLV-I-seropositive peop le without HTLV-I-associated myelopathy or adult T-cell leukemia and 1 49 HTLV-I-seronegative persons, The mean serum level of IgM was higher in HTLV-I-seropositive subjects than in HTLV-I-seronegative subjects, and a significant association with HTLV-I and sex was indicated in th e IgM serum level, No association with HTLV-I was indicated in the pre valence of the autoantibodies except for ANA, These results suggest so me clear humoral immunity differences between HTLV-I-infected and noni nfected subjects, but whether HTLV-I infection can lead to autoimmune disorders remains uncertain.