輸血用血液製剤のATLA-抗体スクリーニング後のHTLV-I感染について

ATL (adult T-cell Leukemia) develops exclusively in HTLV-I (human T-lymphotropic virus type-I) infected population. We already confirmed 5 to 15% healthy carriers of HTLV-I in Nagasaki districts of ATL endemic areas. It is well known that the virus is transmitted by blood transfusion containing cell products as one of the virus transmission mode. The virus carriers were commonly detected by confirmation of ATLA (ATL-associated antigens)-antibodies.We carried out mass screening of sera from seropositive donors by the gelatin particle agglutination test to prevent the spread of HTLV-I by blood transfusion. Then we compared the seroconversion rate before and after the screening.As the results, the rate markedly decreased from 53.6 to 0.9%. Therefore, it is certain that the screening by the agglutination test defends from HTLV-I transmission by blood transfusion.