Seroplevalence of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1/2 among HIV Patients Attending Infectious Diseases Clinic in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two distinct family members of Retroviridae causing significant infections worldwide. These viruses have common modes of transmission and share an in vivo tropism for cells of the immune system particularly T lymphocytes, resulting into co–infections of a number of individuals worldwide. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV 1/2 infection among HIV patients. ELISA kit (Nanjing Pars Biochem, China) was used to detect the presence of HTLV 1/2 antibodies. A total number of 381 HIV patients consisting of males (123) and females (258) aged 18-59 years were tested. Of the 381 HIV patients tested, 288 (75.6%) were positive for HTLV 1/2 using ELISA kit. The prevalence of HTLV 1/2 was significantly higher among patients in the 30-39 years’ age group (24.4%). The prevalence of HTLV 1/2 was significantly higher among female’s HIV patients 195 (51.2%) than males 93 (24.4%). This study indicates a high prevalence of Human T-Lymphotropic virus 1/2 infection among HIV patients although there was a limitation in this study because a confirmatory test using a molecular test was not performed due to lack of financial capability and time factor. Finding from this study may justify the need for a further research and study of HTLV 1/2 among HIV patients to know if there is co-infection between the two. And also a more sensitive and specific assay should be used to confirm it like PCR or Western Blot or LIA test.