Abstract: In the first large scale community study of HTLV-1 prevalence in central Australia we found an adult prevalence of 36.8%, the highest reported worldwide. Prevalence increased with age suggesting that sexual contact may be the predominant mode of transmission. Although a wide range of HTLV-1 proviral loads was found, in nearly 40% of participants this exceeded 1000 copies per 105 peripheral blood leukocytes, a level that has been associated with an increased risk of chronic lung disease and death in this population. The median PVL for participants who were symptomatic with HTLV-1 associated inflammatory diseases was 1.34 log10 higher than that of those who were asymptomatic. These data demand a public health initiative to reduce HTLV-1 transmission among Aboriginal Australians.
Suggested Citation
Einsiedel, Lloyd, Pham, Hai, Talukder, Mohammad Radwanur, Taylor, Kerry, Wilson, Kim, Kaldor, John, Gessain, Antoine, Woodman, Richard,
2021,
Very high prevalence of infection with the human T cell leukaemia virus type 1c in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: Results of a large cross-sectional community survey,
Volume:15, Journal Article,
viewed 27 April 2025,
https://www.nintione.com.au/?p=28352.