Yonsei Med J.  1999 Apr;40(2):173-177. 10.3349/ymj.1999.40.2.173.

Antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) by particle agglutination (PA) test in Korean blood donors

• Kim JM
• Song YG
• Oho YC
• Park HC
• Kwon KH
• Kim E
• Lee SH
• Kim KH

• KMID: 711632
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1999.40.2.173

Abstract

HTLV-I infection is a recently recognized disease entity that is common in some tropical and subtropical areas, including the southwestern district of Japan. Despite the geographical proximity and frequent cultural exchanges between Korea and Japan, it is understood that Korea is not an endemic area and HTLV-I-associated illnesses are very rare in Korea. This study was designed to evaluate the positive rate of anti-HTLV-I antibodies in Korean blood donors and its regional distribution. Sera were obtained from blood donors from various districts around Korea. Anti-HTLV-I antibodies were detected by using the microtiter particle agglutination test employing an indirect agglutination technique. A total of 9,281 donors were tested and 12 donors (0.13%) were positive for anti-HTLV-I antibodies, 10 (0.11%) out of 8,845 males and 2 (0.46%) out of 436 females, with relative female predominance. A relatively high incidence of anti-HTLV-I positive donors was observed in Cheju Island (0.80%), Kyungnam (0.31%), and Chonnam (0.15%). In conclusion, the positive rate of anti-HTLV-I antibodies seemed to be very low in Korea, but the highest positive rate of anti-HTLV-I antibodies was noticed on Cheju Island, warranting further research for confirmation.

Keyword

HTLV-I; antibodies; particle agglutination test; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescence
Adult
Age Distribution
Agglutination Tests*
Blood Donors*
Child
Female
HTLV-I Antibodies/blood*
Human
Korea
Male
Sex Distribution