ANTIBODY TO HIV-1, HTLV-I, AND HCV IN THREE POPULATIONS OF RURAL HAITIANS

The seroprevalence of antibodies to HIV-1 HTLV-1 and HCV was evaluated in 3 populations from northern Haiti--1727 patients attending the hospital for symptoms suggestive of HIV disease 228 consecutive surgical patients and 500 pregnant women were tested. HIV-1 seroprevalence was 6.1 and 4.0% in the least 2 groups respectively and 39.3% in the symptomatic population. Associated symptoms of wasting cough and diarrhea and a clinical diagnosis of AIDS were significantly predictive of HIV-1 seropositivity. Antibody to HTLV-1 seroprevalence ranged from 2.2-5.3% in pregnant women surgical patients and HIV-seronegative symptomatic patients and was similar across the 3 groups when stratified by age. In contrast HIV-1 seropositivity and HTLV-1 seropositivity were significantly associated. The prevalence of confirmed antibody to HCV was low and was not associated with either HIV-1 and HTLV-1 seropositivity. (authors modified)