HTLV-I INFECTION IN SPAIN - ANALYSIS OF 2 4 CASES IDENTIFIED UP TO NOVEMBER 1994

BACKGROUND: HTLV-I is a human retrovirus which has been implicated in the genesis of tropical spastic paraparesia (TSP), adult T-cell leukem ia (ATL) and some patiens with uveitis, subacute arthropathies and lym phocytary alveolitis. The virus is endemic in some zones of the Caribb ean countries, Japan, subsaharian Africa, Middle East and Melanesia. G iven that HTLV-I is transmitted by similar routes as HIV, anti-HTLV-l antibody screening is carried out in blood donors in same countries. M ETHODS: The clinical, epidemiologic and virologic characteristics of t he patients with HTLV-I infection identified in Spain up to November 1 994 are described. RESULTS: Twenty-four Spanish residents have been id entified with HTLV-I infection including 16 Spaniards and 8 immigrants from endemic areas. Thirteen (53%) are males and 11 (47%) females. Mo st of the persons horn in Spain (12/16; 75%) have lived in endemic are as or have maintained sexual relations with natives of them. Four pati ents were diagnosed with TSP, three with ATL and another with lymphoma toid granulomatosis and angiocentric T-cell lymphoma. The remaining pa tients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Two HTLV-I carriers were identified on blood donation. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV-I infection is p resent in Spain being found in Spanish natives and, to a lesser degree , in immigrants from endemic areas. It is therefore recommendable to a nalyze the cost-benefit of anti-HTLV-l screening in blood donors.