Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type I Excretion and Specific Antibody Response in Paired Saliva and Cervicovaginal Secretions

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Abstract
Paired sera, salivas, and cervicovaginal secretions from 17 HTLV-I-infected women (1–75 years) were evaluated for total IgA, IgG, IgM, for IgA and IgG to whole HTLV-I lysate, for albumin, and for tax-rex proviral HTLV-DNA. IgG to HTLV-I were constantly detected, with much higher titers in serum (mean titer: 97,800) than in saliva (53) or in cervicovaginal secretions (216). IgA to HTLV-I were detected in only 12 (70%) sera, 6 (35%) salivas, and 8 (53%) cervicovaginal secretions, with higher titers in serum (75) than in saliva (8). Using the relative coefficient of excretion by reference to albumin, as well as the comparison of specific activities, the HTLV-I-specific IgG appeared primarily originating from serum, whereas IgA to HTLV-I were primarily locally produced. Salivary synthesis of IgG to HTLV-I occurred in both patients with a sicca syndrome attesting salivary glands impairment. Local excretions of total IgA, IgG, and IgM evaluated in body fluids were normal. HTLV DNA was detected in 4 (24%) salivas and in 3 (20%) cervicovaginal secretions, always in patients demonstrating local synthesis of HTLV-I-specific IgA or IgG. HTLV-I excretion elicits a weak local immune response to HTLV-I in saliva as well as in cervicovaginal secretions, which could be relevant for HTLV-I transmission via body fluids.

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