SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF HTLV-I IN RELATION TO THAT OF HIV-1 IN THE GAUTENG REGION, SOUTH-AFRICA, USING DRIED BLOOD SPOTS ON FILTER PAPERS

The seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), in r elation to that of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), was de termined in a comparative unlinked anonymous antenatal and neonatal (f or indirect measurement of maternal antibodies) serosurvey in the Gaut eng region of South Africa, using dried blood spots (DBS) and modified particle agglutination assays. Samples were confirmed to be antibody positive by western blot. A total of 2582 DBS collected during 1993 an d 1994 from subjects of African, European and coloured origin were tes ted. Ten were confirmed as positive for HTLV-I and 128 for HIV-1. No a ntibodies to HTLV-I or HIV-1 were demonstrated in the 221 women of Eur opean and coloured origin who were screened. The HTLV-I seroprevalence rate in subjects of African origin appeared to increase from 0% in 19 93 to 0.49% in 1994, while HIV-1 seroprevalence rates of 5.2% and 5.4% were recorded for 1993 and 1994 respectively. No significant differen ces in HTLV-I and HIV-1 seroprevalence rates were noted for the two ar eas investigated. These results indicate that HTLV-I should be include d in infection control programs, and provide baseline data for monitor ing the possible spread of HTLV-I in the heterosexual population in th is region.