Epidemiology of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type I Infection in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

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Abstract
A serological survey of 317 healthy residents of rural Papua New Guinea (PNG) showed a 26% prevalence of antibodies to human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Antibody to HTLV-I was detected in 16% of children ⩽1O years old (including an 18-month-old child) and increased to ⩾24% in subjects >20 years old. Prospective examination for antibody in 104 residents of one village revealed a seroconversion rate of 13% over a oneyear period. The mean titer of antibody in these subjects (1:183) was lower (P < .0005) than that in persons who were persistently seropositive (1:718). Analysis for clustering of infected subjects suggested that personal contact within the home played a role in the horizontal spread of HTLV-I. These data indicate that HTLV-I infection has a higher prevalence in PNG than in other endemic parts of the world, exposure occurs at an early age, and infection and/or seroconversion is common in adults as well as in children.