Variant Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1c and Adult T-cell Leukemia, Australia

Abstract

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 is endemic to central Australia among Indigenous Australians. However, virologic and clinical aspects of infection remain poorly understood. No attempt has been made to control transmission to indigenous children. We report 3 fatal cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 Australo-Melanesian subtype c.

Keywords

• human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1
• HTLV-1
• adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
• ATLL
• molecular epidemiology
• Australian Aborigines