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HTLV 1 & 2. What are these things?. HTLV 1 & 2. T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. Occur in both Old World primates and Humans. The primate varieties are called Simian T-cell Leukemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. (STLV) The human varieties are HTLV. HTLV 1 & 2. STLV. Occurs as type 1 & 2.
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HTLV 1 & 2 What are these things?
HTLV 1 & 2 • T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. • Occur in both Old World primates and Humans. • The primate varieties are called Simian T-cell Leukemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. (STLV) • The human varieties are HTLV.
HTLV 1 & 2 • STLV. Occurs as type 1 & 2. • STLV 1 is confined to Africa and Asia in about 19 species of primates. • Distribution of STLV 2 is virtually unknown.
HTLV 1 & 2 • Transmission of these agents, primate and human. • Sexual contact (type 2 may be poorly transmitted sexually) • Breast feeding • Blood transfusions (humans) • I.V drug use with needle sharing (humans)
HTLV 1 & 2 • Interesting distribution pattern • Type 1. Worldwide. 15-20 million people infected. • Local regions of high prevalence • S. Japan • Caribbean • Tropical Africa
HTLV 1 & 2 • Type 2 distribution • Originally thought to be New World and brought in by human migrations 10-20k years ago. • However also found in the oldest human ethnic group… Pygmy group from central Africa. • Very high rates of infection in IV drug users.
HTLV 1 & 2 • HTLV 1 &2 are classified in the family Retroviridae. • Single stranded RNA viruses. • Reverse transcriptase. • Integrates into the host genome, lifelong infection, evades the immune system of the host.
HTLV 1 & 2 • HTLV 1. adult T-cell Leukaemia/lymphoma, and a rare myelopathy also known as tropical spastic parapariesis. Infective dermatitis of children and also uveitis. Lots of speculation in terms of other diseases. • HTLV 2. Myelopathy?, no leukaemia/lymphoma no other convincing disease associations but lots of speculation.