Seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among native and immigrant pregnant women in Spain

Abstract:

HTLV-1/2 antenatal screening is not mandatory in European countries. The rapid increase in immigrants coming from areas endemic for HTLV-1 infection has compelled a review of this policy in Spain. From February 2006 to December 2007, a cross-sectional study was carried out in all pregnant women attended at 10 different Spanish hospitals. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to test serum HTLV-1/2 antibodies; reactive samples were further confirmed by Western blot and/or polymerase chain reaction. A total of 20,518 pregnant women were examined, of whom 18,266 (89%) were native Spaniards. Overall, 946 (4.6%) of the immigrants came from HTLV-1 endemic areas (mainly Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa). Four samples were EIA seroreactive for HTLV-1/2, two of them in women infected with HTLV-1 coming from endemic areas. The other two women were infected with HTLV-2 …

Año de publicación:

2009

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Fuente:

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