Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in civilian applicants for the United States Armed Forces

C. R. Roberts; D. R. Fipps; J. F. Brundage; S. E. Wright; M. Goldenbaum; S. S. Alexander; D. S. Burke

doi:10.2105/AJPH.82.1.70

Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in civilian applicants for the United States Armed Forces

C. R. Roberts, D. R. Fipps, J. F. Brundage, S. E. Wright, M. Goldenbaum, S. S. Alexander, D. S. Burke

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. The wide range in human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) seroprevalences reported worldwide has made estimates of seroprevalence difficult in unique populations. In this study, the seropositivity of young adult civilian applicants for the US Armed Forces was determined. Methods. Serum samples from nine geographic regions were screened by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and repeatedly reactive samples were further tested by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation. Specimens were scored as positive when antibody to gag (p24) and env (gp46 or gp68) were detected. Results. Of the 43,750 samples analyzed, 18 were positive for HTLV antibodies. Ten (55%) were from males and eight (45%) were from females. Nine (90%) of the males and seven (87.5%) of the females were Black. Twelve of the positive samples (66.6%) were from the New York City region, which represented only 18.8% of the sample population. Conclusions. The overall HTLV seroprevalence of civilian applicants for the US Armed forces was 0.41 per 1000. This was higher than the seroprevalence reported for volunteer blood donors.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	70-73
Number of pages	4
Journal	American journal of public health
Volume	82
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.82.1.70
State	Published - 1992
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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title = "Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in civilian applicants for the United States Armed Forces",

abstract = "Background. The wide range in human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) seroprevalences reported worldwide has made estimates of seroprevalence difficult in unique populations. In this study, the seropositivity of young adult civilian applicants for the US Armed Forces was determined. Methods. Serum samples from nine geographic regions were screened by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and repeatedly reactive samples were further tested by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation. Specimens were scored as positive when antibody to gag (p24) and env (gp46 or gp68) were detected. Results. Of the 43,750 samples analyzed, 18 were positive for HTLV antibodies. Ten (55%) were from males and eight (45%) were from females. Nine (90%) of the males and seven (87.5%) of the females were Black. Twelve of the positive samples (66.6%) were from the New York City region, which represented only 18.8% of the sample population. Conclusions. The overall HTLV seroprevalence of civilian applicants for the US Armed forces was 0.41 per 1000. This was higher than the seroprevalence reported for volunteer blood donors.",

author = "Roberts, {C. R.} and Fipps, {D. R.} and Brundage, {J. F.} and Wright, {S. E.} and M. Goldenbaum and Alexander, {S. S.} and Burke, {D. S.}",

year = "1992",

doi = "10.2105/AJPH.82.1.70",

language = "English (US)",

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T1 - Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in civilian applicants for the United States Armed Forces

AU - Roberts, C. R.

AU - Fipps, D. R.

AU - Brundage, J. F.

AU - Wright, S. E.

AU - Goldenbaum, M.

AU - Alexander, S. S.

AU - Burke, D. S.

PY - 1992

Y1 - 1992

N2 - Background. The wide range in human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) seroprevalences reported worldwide has made estimates of seroprevalence difficult in unique populations. In this study, the seropositivity of young adult civilian applicants for the US Armed Forces was determined. Methods. Serum samples from nine geographic regions were screened by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and repeatedly reactive samples were further tested by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation. Specimens were scored as positive when antibody to gag (p24) and env (gp46 or gp68) were detected. Results. Of the 43,750 samples analyzed, 18 were positive for HTLV antibodies. Ten (55%) were from males and eight (45%) were from females. Nine (90%) of the males and seven (87.5%) of the females were Black. Twelve of the positive samples (66.6%) were from the New York City region, which represented only 18.8% of the sample population. Conclusions. The overall HTLV seroprevalence of civilian applicants for the US Armed forces was 0.41 per 1000. This was higher than the seroprevalence reported for volunteer blood donors.

AB - Background. The wide range in human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) seroprevalences reported worldwide has made estimates of seroprevalence difficult in unique populations. In this study, the seropositivity of young adult civilian applicants for the US Armed Forces was determined. Methods. Serum samples from nine geographic regions were screened by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and repeatedly reactive samples were further tested by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation. Specimens were scored as positive when antibody to gag (p24) and env (gp46 or gp68) were detected. Results. Of the 43,750 samples analyzed, 18 were positive for HTLV antibodies. Ten (55%) were from males and eight (45%) were from females. Nine (90%) of the males and seven (87.5%) of the females were Black. Twelve of the positive samples (66.6%) were from the New York City region, which represented only 18.8% of the sample population. Conclusions. The overall HTLV seroprevalence of civilian applicants for the US Armed forces was 0.41 per 1000. This was higher than the seroprevalence reported for volunteer blood donors.

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Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in civilian applicants for the United States Armed Forces

Abstract

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