Seroprevalence and demographic characteristics of HTLV-I among blood donors in Taiwan: 1996-1999
Journal
International Journal of Hematology
Journal Volume
74
Journal Issue
3
Pages
333-337
Date Issued
2001
Author(s)
Abstract
Screening for the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and-II in blood donors was implemented in Taiwan beginning in February 1996. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in HTLV-I seroprevalence in all unpaid blood donors in Taiwan during the period from February 1996 to December 1999 and to determine the influence of age and sex on the HTLV-I seropositivity of donors. HTLV-I and HTLV-II screening was performed using combined HTLV-I/II immunoassay. Repeated reactive samples were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Of a total of 3,701,087 donors in all 6 blood centers in Taiwan, 2311 (0.058%) were seropositive for HTLV-I. The HTLV-I seropositivity was 0.130%, 0.063%, 0.044%, and 0.032% in the years 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.There was a linear increase of HTLV-I seropositivity with advancing age. The HTLV-I carrier rate for female donors was twice that for the male donors. Ninty-seven percent of HTLV-I seropositive results came from first-time donors. Our findings suggest that Taiwan is a low-prevalence nonendemic area for HTLV-I infection. The large-scale HTLV-I screening program has decreased HTLV-I seropositivity among blood donors and is useful for preventing HTLV-I transmission via blood transfusion. ? 2001 The Japanese Society of Hematology.
Subjects
Blood donors; Enzyme immunoassay; Human T-cell lymphotropic virus
SDGs
Other Subjects
adolescent; adult; age; aged; article; blood donor; disease transmission; epidemiology; female; human; Human T cell leukemia virus infection; male; sex difference; Taiwan; topography; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Blood Donors; Female; HTLV-I Infections; HTLV-II Infections; Human; Male; Middle Age; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sex Factors; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Taiwan; Topography, Medical
Type
journal article