SEQUENCE-ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST HTLV-I INFECTION IN GERMANY WITHOUT RELATIONS TO ENDEMIC AREAS

In most parts of Europe only a limited number of sporadic cases of HTL V-I infections have been identified. So far, the few cases found in Ge rmany have always been linked to individuals with relations to endemic areas. Here we report the first HTLV-I infection from a German ATL pa tient without any known risk for HTLV-I infection and with no relation s to known endemic areas. The DNA sequence of the provirus was determi ned, and a phylogenetic analysis based on the LTR sequence established a close relationship with HTLV-I sequences previously found in two Ro manian patients. Our data suggest the existence of a previously unreco gnized cluster of HTLV-I infections in southeastern or central Europe.