Human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1/2 and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies identification among transactional sex workers and drug users in the Dominican Republic. (20th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paulino-Ramirez, Robert; Tapia, Leandro; Ruiz-Matuk, Carlos; Charow, Rebecca; Budhwani, Henna; Routy, Jean-Pierre
• Is Part Of: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Volume 113:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2019-03-20
• Subjects: Dominican Republic -- drug users -- HIV -- HTLV -- sex workers -- transactional sex; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9203

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases the risk of acquiring human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and subsequently HTLV's progression to tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). Existing data have exclusively reported generalized rates of HIV and HTLV-1 chronic viral infections in the Dominican Republic. To our knowledge, no published studies have focused on the rates of HTLV-1/2 in transactional sex workers and drug users, both higher risk groups, in the Dominican Republic. Methods: From December 2012 to April 2013 we conducted a study to estimate the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and HIV antibodies among transactional sex workers and intravenous drug users in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Serological status was analysed with behaviour and demographic data. Results: We collected and analysed plasma from 200 participants with a mean age of 27.4 y in men and 25.2 y in women. The overall weighted seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 IgG antibodies was 13.91% (95% CI 7.59 to 20.23) in men and 10.59% (95% CI 4.05 to 17.13) in women. The overall weighted seroprevalence of HIV-1 was 13.91% (95% CI 7.59 to 20.23%) in men and 17.65% (95% CI 9.55 to 25.75) in women. Male intravenous drug users had an exceptionally high rate of HTLV-positive HIV co-infection, at 75% (95% CI 44.99 to 105.01). Although there an association has been found between HTLV/HIV co-infections and sex work, the adjusted odds revealed a confounding role of HIV infection. Conclusions: The results highlight the urgent need for enhanced public health preventive strategies among high-risk populations in the Dominican Republic and other resource-constrained Caribbean settings, as well as global adoption of routine screening for HTLV-associated infections, particularly in these high-risk, underserved populations.