The occurrence of HTLV-I/II and HIV-1 coinfections have been shown to be
frequent, probably in consequence of their similar modes of transmission.
This paper presents the prevalence of coinfection of HTLV among HIV-1
infected and AIDS patients in Belem, State of Para, Brazil. A group of 149
patients attending the AIDS Reference Unit of the State Department of
Health was tested for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I/II using an
enzyme immunoassay and the positive reactions were confirmed with a Western
blot that discriminates between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections. Four
patients (2.7%) were positive to HTLV-I, seven (4.7%) to HTLV-II and one
(0.7%) showed an indeterminate pattern of reaction. The present results
show for the first time in Belem not only the occurrence of HTLV-II/HIV-1
coinfections but also a higher prevalence of HTLV-II in relation to HTLV-I.
Furthermore, it also enlarges the geographical limits of the endemic area
for HTLV-II in the Amazon region of Brazil.
