Epidemiologic background of blood donors with antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus. Transfusion Safety Study Group |
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| Authors: | EA Operskalski, ER Schiff, SH Kleinman, M Busch, PE Taylor, WP Parks, H Lee, PA Tomasulo, E Donegan, M Stuart, et al. |
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| Affiliation: | University of Southern California, Los Angeles. |
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| Abstract: | We interviewed 51 blood donors in four major US metropolitan areas subsequently found to have had antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus (anti-HTLV) in late 1984-early 1985. Sixteen donors (31%) reported that they or a sexual contact had a history of blood transfusion. Twelve donors (24%) reported that they or a sexual contact used intravenous drugs. Ten donors (20%) were blacks born in the southeastern US. Four of the male donors (15%) reported homosexual contact. The most common characteristic was an association with Japan or the Caribbean basin (61%). These results show a broader variation of epidemiologic backgrounds than anticipated. |
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