[HTLV-I/II infection in the state of Bahia].
1998
The city of Salvador, capital of Bahia, presents a population with the highest prevalence
of HTLV-I infection in Brazil. Untill now, only one study has investigated this infection in other cities of
this state, even though by using a small sample. With objective to evaluate the prevalence of HTLVI/
II antibodies in four cities of the state of Bahia. Serum samples from 1,539 individuals who lived in
Catolândia, Ipupiara, Jacobina and Prado were screened by ELISA, and repeatedly reactive
samples confirmed by Western Blot. Forty-seven (3.1%) samples were positive by ELISA, and 44 of
them were tested by Western blot: 5 (0.3%) were positive, 8 (0.5%) were indeterminate (all of them
from Jacobina) and 31 were negative. The overall prevalence of HTLV-I antibodies was 0.3%. This
prevalence varied from 0.0% (Prado) to 0.7% (Jacobina), but differences were not statistically
sgnificant (p > 0.21). None of these individuals presented HTLV-II antibodies. Jacobina showed the
highest prevalence of HTLV-I infection among the cities studied, although the overall prevalence was
low. In conclusion, further epidemiological, clinical and virological studies will be of paramount
importance to obtain a better understanding of the natural history of this infection in Jacobina.
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