1. HTLV 1 & 2 What are these things?

2. HTLV 1 & 2 T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. Occur in both Old World primates and Humans. The primate varieties are called Simian T- cell Leukemia/Lymphotropic Viruses. (STLV) The human varieties are HTLV.

3. HTLV 1 & 2 STLV. Occurs as type 1 & 2. STLV 1 is confined to Africa and Asia in about 19 species of primates. Distribution of STLV 2 is virtually unknown.

4. HTLV 1 & 2 Transmission of these agents, primate and human. –Sexual contact (type 2 may be poorly transmitted sexually) –Breast feeding –Blood transfusions (humans) –I.V drug use with needle sharing (humans)

5. HTLV 1 & 2 Interesting distribution pattern Type 1. Worldwide. 15-20 million people infected. Local regions of high prevalence –S. Japan –Caribbean –Tropical Africa

6. HTLV 1 & 2 Type 2 distribution Originally thought to be New World and brought in by human migrations 10-20k years ago. However also found in the oldest human ethnic group… Pygmy group from central Africa. Very high rates of infection in IV drug users.

7. HTLV 1 & 2

8. HTLV 1 &2 are classified in the family Retroviridae. Single stranded RNA viruses. Reverse transcriptase. Integrates into the host genome, lifelong infection, evades the immune system of the host.

9. HTLV 1 & 2 HTLV 1. adult T-cell Leukaemia/lymphoma, and a rare myelopathy also known as tropical spastic parapariesis. Infective dermatitis of children and also uveitis. Lots of speculation in terms of other diseases. HTLV 2. Myelopathy?, no leukaemia/lymphoma no other convincing disease associations but lots of speculation.