HTLV Infections

Infection with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) 1 or 2 can cause T-cell leukemias and lymphomas, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, skin lesions, and immunocompromise. Some patients with HTLV infection develop infections similar to those that occur in patients with HIV infection. HTLV-1 can also cause myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.

Most cases are transmitted

• From mother to child by breastfeeding

HTLV-1 can also be transmitted

• Sexually

• Through blood

• Rarely, via transplantation of organs from HTLV-1 seropositive donors