SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF HUMAN T-LYMPHOTROPIC RETROVIRUS AMONG INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS IN TAIWAN

The prevalence of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV) was examined in Taiwan's indigenous populations. In all, 797 healthy subjects in Ta iwan including Han Chinese and nine indigenous populations (Ami, Ataya l, Bunun, Saisiat, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Tsuo, and Yami) were examine d for the presence of antibodies to HTLV by particle agglutination, in direct immunofluorescence and Western blot test. Two seropositive case s were found in this screening. One Saisiat male and a Han Chinese fem ale were seropositive for HTLV. The Western blot profile indicated the virus was type-I HTLV.