Human T lymphotropic virus type 3

Introduction

In June 1986, two sexually active women in Minnesota were found to have antibody to human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). Both belonged to social/sexual clubs whose stated purpose was to provide their members (primarily couples) with opportunities for social and sexual contacts. Each of the two seropositive women reported having sexual contact with a number of other persons from these clubs, including two men who were bisexual.

Detection

Infection was detected in these two women during a serologic screening program conducted by the St. Paul Division of Public Health, in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health. This screening was undertaken because members of these clubs were known to have been involved in outbreaks of other sexually transmitted diseases (including syphilis and gonorrhea). From a total of 285 members (143 women and 142 men) of two of these social/sexual clubs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, 134 volunteers were tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibody to HTLV-III/LAV in June and July 1986. Any ELISA-positive specimens were also tested with the Western blot assay. All 75 men tested had negative ELISA results for antibody to HTLV-III/LAV. Two of 59 women tested had positive antibody test results for HTLV-III/LAV with both ELISA and Western blot. Antibody results for these women were again positive with ELISA and Western blot when repeated 6 weeks later. The seroprevalence rate of 3% among female club members tested is significantly higher than the seroprevalence rate of zero (none of 56,000) among female blood donors in Minnesota.

Characteristics of the patients

The two seropositive women had belonged to two different social/sexual clubs for approximately 2 years. Both denied intravenous drug use, a history of blood transfusions, or receipt of clotting factor concentrates. One woman was 31 years old, married, and had sexual relations only with other club members; her husband (also a member) had negative test results for HTLV-III/LAV antibody. The other woman was 25 years old, unmarried, and occasionally had sexual relations with men outside the club.

Each of these two women reported having had sexual contact with more than 25 other club members, including five men with whom they both had sexual intercourse. Two of these five men could be located for testing and had negative results for HTLV-III/LAV antibody. Two of the other three men whose serologic status could not be determined were reported to be bisexual men with whom both women had had repeated vaginal and anal intercourse.

An additional bisexual man who was a former member of one of these clubs is known to have developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). He had no history of sexual contact with either of the seropositive women or with either of the two bisexual men who had sexual contact with these women.

To date, 55 of the 134 club members tested for antibody to HTLV-III/LAV (including the two seropositive women) have participated in follow-up interviews and have received counselling about their sexual practices and attitudes. Four (15%) of 27 men reported homosexual contact with other club members as well as with men who were not members of either of the two clubs. When asked whether they perceived themselves as being at increased risk of having AIDS, 40 members (73%) replied that they did not. One man reported that he "usually" used condoms while having sexual intercourse. When asked whether they would continue to participate in the activities promoted by social/sexual clubs if they knew such activities were associated with a high risk of having AIDS, 54/55 (98%) answered that they would not.

When it was known that one member of each of the two clubs was positive for HTLV-III/LAV antibody, both clubs disbanded. In an effort to minimize the transmission of HTLV-III/LAV, educational programs for sexually active adults (including former club members) are currently being implemented in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Follow-up studies of former club members are planned to assess whether other changes in sexual behavior are occurring.

External links

• human T-cell lymphotrophic virus at eMedicine

• International Retrovirology Association
• Human+T-lymphotropic+virus+1 at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

• Human+T-lymphotropic+virus+2 at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

• "Human T-lymphotropic virus 1". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. 11908.

• "Human T-lymphotropic virus 2". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. 11909.

• "Human T-lymphotropic virus 3". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. 28332.

• "Human T-lymphotropic virus 4". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. 318279.

• "Untyped Human T-lymphotropic virus". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. 318275.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Human T lymphotropic virus type 3

Human T lymphotropic virus type 3 is a rare disease.