Frequency of HTLV-۱ Antibody in Children of ۶ Months to ۱۴ Years old Hospitalized in the Pediatric Ward of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran

Background Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-۱) infection is endemic in specific regions of the world, including northeastern Iran. Besides mother to fetus transmission, it can be transmitted through breast feeding, sexual contact, and blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HTLV-۱ in children. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on children from ۶ months to ۱۴ years of age hospitalized in Imam Reza Hospital between January ۲۰۱۶ and January ۲۰۱۷. HTLV-۱ antibody testing was done on all patients admitted within one year, and the positive results were further confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After determining the frequency, the types of feeding and possible transmission ways of the virus were investigated. Results Out of the ۱۳۵۸ children admitted, ۷۵۸ entered the study and were tested for HTLV-۱ antibody. The result was positive in ۵۸ patients (۷.۶۵%) who were further tested by PCR and ۱۱ (۱.۴۵%) had positive antibody result. Out of the ۵۸ positive children, ۲۸ (۴۸.۳%) were male and ۳۰ (۵۱.۷%) female. Most of the children were in the age range of ۶ to ۳۰ months and breastfed. In terms of location, most of them lived in Mashhad (۵۸.۶۲%). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that the frequency of HTLV-۱ antibody among children of ۶ months to ۱۴ years was ۷.۶۵%. They were tested by PCR and ۱.۴۵% were positive. This region therefore still remains an endemic area for HTLV-۱ infection.

کلیدواژه ها:

antibody ، Children ، HTLV-۱ ، Iran ، PCR