HTLV seroprevalence in people using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in England. Issue 3 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bradshaw, Daniel; Khawar, Arham; Patel, Poorvi; Tosswill, Jennifer; Brown, Colin; Ogaz, Dana; Mason, Emily; Osman, Roeann; Mitchell, Holly; Dosekun, Olamide; Peris, Borja Mora; Pickard, Graham; Rayment, Michael; Jones, Rachael; Hopkins, Mark; Williams, Andy; Kingston, Margaret; Machin, Nicholas; Taha, Yusri; Duncan, Sarah; Turner, Neil; Gill, Noel; Andrews, Nick; Raza, Mohammad; Tazzyman, Simon; Nori, Achyuta; Cunningham, Emma; Taylor, Graham P
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection. Volume 86:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 245
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) -- HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis -- Gay -- Bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM); Infection -- Periodicals; Bacterial Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.01.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4453

Abstract

Highlights: First study to evaluate the potential risk of HTLV transmission amongst people who use HIV-PrEP. No (0/2015) HTLV-1/HTLV-2 cases found in people who use HIV-PrEP in England. Similar studies are needed amongst HIV-PrEP uses elsewhere, particularly in HTLV-1 endemic settings. Summary: Objectives: HTLV-1 is predominantly a sexually-transmitted infection but testing is not mentioned in HIV-PrEP guidelines. We ascertained HTLV-1/HTLV-2 seroprevalence amongst HIV-PrEP users in England. Methods: An unlinked anonymous seroprevalence study. Results: Amongst 2015 HIV-PrEP users, 95% were men, 76% of white ethnicity and 83% had been born in Europe. There were no HTLV-1/HTLV-2 seropositive cases (95% confidence interval 0% – 0.18%). Conclusions: There were no HTLV positive cases, likely reflecting the demographic of mostly white and European-born individuals. Similar studies are needed worldwide to inform public health recommendations for HIV-PrEP using populations, particularly in HTLV-endemic settings.