HTLV-I and HTLV-II Coexist Among the Embera and Inga Amerindians of Colombia

This narrative review, which is based on a systematic literature search following the PRISMA guidelines, provides a general overview of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and associated diseases: Adult T-cell Leukaemia-Lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in Latin America, focusing on epidemiology and prevention. Using the published information on HTLV-1, ATLL and HAM/TSP prevalence, we present comprehensive and accurate maps and tables, and developed an algorithm to assist in the prevention of HTLV-1 transmission through breastfeeding while considering socio-economic status. Latin America is an interesting scenario to study HTLV-1 because of the diverse origin of its population. Apart from the expected high prevalence in inhabitants of African ancestry, the presence of endemic foci affecting indigenous populations is particularly striking. ATLL prevention is the biggest challenge in this field. Most ATLL cases are transmitted through breastfeeding; thus, prevention methods to avoid ATLL in endemic countries have to be focused on this. In view of the high inequality in most Latin American countries, reduction in breastfeeding duration, freezing/ thawing and pasteurisation of breastmilk can be suitable interventions in poor settings, considering that avoiding the risk of malnutrition and infant mortality must be the priority.

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“… Most of the reports were performed in Brazil, Peru and Jamaica; all of them are considered endemic regions , , . …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human T‐Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 and associated diseases in Latin America

Eusebio‐Ponce

Candel

Anguita

2019

Tropical Med Int Health

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“…1992 39 Wayuu 523 1 1.6 3 4.8 Fujiyama et al 1993 49 Guahibo 92 29 31.5 Duenas-Barajas et al. 1993 40 Waunana/Noanama 143 3 2.1 Tunebo 40 2 5.0 Zaninovic et al 1994 137 Inga 62 1 1.6 Kamsa 59 5 8.5 Wayuu 123 5 4.1 Arango et al 1999 7 Embera ...…”

Section: Htlv In Indigenous Groups Of Other Countries Of the Americasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsequently, HTLV-2 has been identified among the Wayuu, Guahibo, and Tunebo groups in the Guajira Peninsula in extreme northeastern Colombia (Caribbean Sea), with prevalence rates between 4.1% and 31.5% 39 , 50 , 121 , 136 . Other foci of HTLV-1 are found in various isolated indigenous populations (Wayuu, Waunana/Noanama, Inga, Kamsa, Embera), with prevalence rates from 1.0% to 8.5% 7 , 39 , 40 , 137 . Both viruses have been detected within some of these groups 7 , 39 , although in most, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 appear to be mutually exclusive 40 , 41 , 49 , 136 , 137 , including a 31.5% HTLV-2 rate among Guahibo natives 49 ( Table 1 ).…”

Section: Htlv In Indigenous Groups Of Other Countries Of the Americasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other foci of HTLV-1 are found in various isolated indigenous populations (Wayuu, Waunana/Noanama, Inga, Kamsa, Embera), with prevalence rates from 1.0% to 8.5% 7 , 39 , 40 , 137 . Both viruses have been detected within some of these groups 7 , 39 , although in most, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 appear to be mutually exclusive 40 , 41 , 49 , 136 , 137 , including a 31.5% HTLV-2 rate among Guahibo natives 49 ( Table 1 ). These observations suggest that the natives of South America could be divided into two major ethnic groups by an HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 carrier state that evolved among mongoloid populations and transmitted independently as two different strains among the indigenous peoples of the Andes highlands and coastal Atlantic plains 41 , 50 , 51 , 137 .…”

Section: Htlv In Indigenous Groups Of Other Countries Of the Americasmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Origin and Prevalence of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (Htlv-1) and Type 2 (Htlv-2) Among Indigenous Populations in the Americas

Paiva

Casseb

2015

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is found in indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands and the Americas, whereas type 2 (HTLV-2) is widely distributed among the indigenous peoples of the Americas, where it appears to be more prevalent than HTLV-1, and in some tribes of Central Africa. HTLV-2 is considered ancestral in the Americas and is transmitted to the general population and injection drug users from the indigenous population. In the Americas, HTLV-1 has more than one origin, being brought by immigrants in the Paleolithic period through the Bering Strait, through slave trade during the colonial period, and through Japanese immigration from the early 20th century, whereas HTLV-2 was only brought by immigrants through the Bering Strait. The endemicity of HTLV-2 among the indigenous people of Brazil makes the Brazilian Amazon the largest endemic area in the world for its occurrence. A review of HTLV-1 in all Brazilian tribes supports the African origin of HTLV-1 in Brazil. The risk of hyperendemicity in these epidemiologically closed populations and transmission to other populations reinforces the importance of public health interventions for HTLV control, including the recognition of the infection among reportable diseases and events.

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“…Se han informado casos en los siguientes departamentos: Nariño, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Amazonas, Putumayo, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Córdoba y Risaralda, y en poblaciones indígenas como los embera (17,19,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).…”

Section: Epidemiologíaunclassified