Abstract
INTRODUCTION
We present a data analysis and review of recent studies regarding the laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infections in Brazil.
METHODS
Target populations, available diagnostic serological assays (screening and complementary tests), molecular assays (in-house), causes of false-positive and false-negative results, and flowcharts were analyzed.
RESULTS
A table presents the target populations, two diagnostic flowcharts (depending on laboratory infrastructure and study population), and recent research that may improve how HTLV-1/2 is diagnosed in Brazil.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results support the implementation of public policies to reduce HTLV-1/2 transmission and its associated diseases.
Keywords:
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; Human T-lymphotropic virus 2; Diagnosis; Screening assays; Confirmatory assays; Algorithms
Thumbnail
CLIA: chemiluminescence immunoassay; EIA: enzyme immunoassay; HTVL: human T-lymphotropic virus; LAMP: loop-mediated isothermal amplification; LIA: line immunoassay; PCR-RFLP: polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism; qPCR: quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; WB: western blot. Complementary tests were confirmatory and discriminatory tests.