Last update:
17-Jul-2000

Arch Hellen Med, 16(5), September-October 1999, 492–496

SHORT COMMUNICATION

The first known case of transmission of HTLV-I-II infection
to heterosexual partner of blood donors in Greece

C. POLITIS,¹ E. GEORGAKOPOULOU,² F. GOUNARI,²
L. KAVALLIEROU,¹ N. RENIERI¹

¹Regional General Athens Hospital «G. Gennimatas»,
²Drakopoulion Blood Transfusion Center, Athens, Greece

OBJECTIVE The investigation and follow-up of the sexual partners of anti-HTLV-I-II seropositive blood donors and multi-transfused patients with thalassemia.
METHOD Six persons, spouses of 3 seropositive blood donors and 2 seropositive thalassemic patients (one patient was married twice) were tested for anti-HTLV-I-II antibody and followed-up for periods of 12–18 and 18–30 months respectively. Blood screening was performed with Abbott and Murex ELISA methods and confirmation was made by Western blot 2.4 and Innolia. Antibody titers were also recorded.
RESULTS One person, the wife of a seroposi tive blood donor was found positive for anti-HTLV-I 18 months after the diagnosis of her husband's infection, having been found negative at twelve months. The couple's sexual relationship was significantly longer (120 months) compared to the other couples (36±8 months).
CONCLUSIONS Sexual transmission of HTLV-I-II infection was confirmed in the wife of a seropositive blood donor. The time length of the sexual relationship was a significant factor for the transmission of this infection. The study supports the recommendation that sexual partners of seroposi tive blood donors for HTLV-I-II infection should be investigated and followed-up.

Key words: HTLV-I-II infection, Seropositive, Thalassemia.