Sero-prevalence of human T-lymphotrophic virus 1/2 among HIV-1 infected individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: HTLV–1 or 2 co–infection in individuals infected with HIV–1 can lead to increased morbidity. The shared routes of transmission of HTLV with HIV–1 may increase the prevalence of HTLV among HIV–1 infected population and subsequently affect patient’s management.

Methods: Sera were collected from 144 HIV–1 infected individuals attending the highly active anti–retroviral therapy (HAART) clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital between the months of May and August 2016. Sera were tested for anti–HTLV IgM and IgG antibodies to HTLV– 1&2 using the sandwich enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Out of the 144 participants tested, 47 (32.6%) and 37 (25.7%) were positive for HTLV IgG and IgM respectively. Twenty–one participants (14.6%) had both IgG and IgM antibodies to HTLV–1&2. Ten individuals were anti–retroviral drug naïve out of which, four and six were positive to anti–HTLV IgG and IgM respectively.

Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed that there is high sero–prevalence of HTLV IgG and IgM antibodies among HIV–1 sero–positive individuals in Ilorin. The high rate of co–infection supports routine screening for HTLV–1/2 co-infection among HIV–1 infected individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria so that the purpose of HAART treatment and monitoring of patients to prevent progression to AIDS will not be aborted.

Keywords: Human T-cell lymphotrophic Virus, Human immunodeficiency virus–1, IgG, IgM, CD4+ counts