HTLV Test can detect the presence of HTLV and also confirm infection with either type I or II. In some cases, HTLV-I can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), a rare and aggressive cancer of the blood. Infected persons also may develop myelopathy, a neurologic disorder that affects the muscles in the legs. In addition, researchers think that HTLV-I plays a role in the development of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. HTLV-II can cause another rare cancer called hairy-cell leukemia. Because the chances of curing ATL rely on early detection, HTLV Test is a valuable tool.
HTLV-I, is also associated with tropical spastic paraparesis, and other demyelinating and neoplastic conditions. More recently, HTLV-I infection has been shown to be associated with T- and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLL), multiple myeloma, some cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, polymyositis, arthritis, Kaposi sarcoma, uveitis, strongyloidiasis, and mycosis fungoides. Type I HTLV is irregularly distributed throughout the world, as opposed to type II virus, which is a new world virus, more common among Americans in North, Central, and South America. Recent findings suggest that HTLV-II may be associated with a number of other leukemias and lymphomas. A high rate of HTLV-II seropositives has been observed among intravenous drug users. Both HTLV-I and HTLV-II can be transmitted by sexual contact, I.V. drug use, blood products, and through breast milk.
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