Resumo

DIAZ TORRES, Héctor M. et al. Seroepidemiological follow-up of sexual partners of HTLV-I seropositive individuals in Cuba. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2009, vol.61, n.3, pp. 269-274. ISSN 1561-3054.

INTRODUCTION: the Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus type I (HTLV-I) is considered to be endemic in the Caribbean area, with rates of seroprevalence from 3 to 6 %. Its routes of transmission are sexual, vertical and parenteral. It also circulates in Cuba, though seroprevalence is much lower. Heterosexual transmission is a frequently reported way of contagion. OBJECTIVES: to determine HTLV-I seroprevalence in the sexual partners of HTLV-I infected individuals and also to assess important epidemiological factors that could have an impact on the transmission. METHODS: a prospective sero epidemiological follow-up study was conducted with the sexual partners of the HTLV-I infected individuals who were identified by the National Program of STD/HIV/aids. After counseling sessions and well-informed consent, an epidemiological survey was designed using data from the sexual partners and their serological follow up. Diagnosis was based on the ELISA and Western Blot DAVIH HTLV-I and DAVIH BLOT HTLV-I systems, and the statistical processing used EPIDAT program. RESULTS: seropositivity of the sexual partners was significantly higher in men than in women (53.3% vs. 9.09%, p< 0.05). The average time of exposure of the positive and negative partners of men and women did not show significant difference. CONCLUSION: the results revealed greater efficiency in the transmission of HTLV-I from men to women and also evinced its presence in Cuba as sexually-transmitted disease. The authors believe that this information should be used during the counseling service.

Palavras-chave : HTLV-I; sexual transmission; seroprevalence.

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