Highlights from the HTLV-1 symposium at the 2017 Australasian HIV and AIDS Conference held jointly with the 2017 Australasian Sexual Health Conference, November 2017, Canberra, Australia

Abstract

We are pleased to report on the inaugural HTLV-1 symposium at the 2017 Australasian HIV and AIDS Conference joint with 2017 Australasian Sexual Health Conference in Canberra, Australia. Our understanding of HTLV-1 epidemiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnostics and treatment options for HTLV-1 diseases has advanced tremendously over the last 40 years. However, the awareness of healthcare providers and the general population about HTLV-1, and the effective promotion and implementation of HTLV-1 transmission-prevention strategies, lag behind current knowledge. Here we present a summary of the symposium, plenary and poster presentations on HTLV-1.

Keywords

• HTLV-1, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, HAM/TSP, ATL, adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma, human T leukaemic virus type 1, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, mortality, Australia, sexual transmission, treatment, service provision, patient feedback, serology