Seroepidemiology of HTLV infection in Sabzevar blood donors from 2007 to 2008

Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)، a retrovirus، is the causative agent of adult T-lymphocytic leukemia (ATL) and tropical spastic paraparesia (TSP). HTLV-1 is transmitted mainly through blood transfusion. Sabzevar is an endemic region for HTLV infection; hence it is essential to detect the prevalence of HTLV1/2 infection in the blood donors of this city. In this cross-sectional study، blood samples of all donors referring to Sabzevar Blood Transfusion Center from 2007 to 2008 were screened for HTLV infection using ELISA، and positive samples were confirmed by western blotting. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 17. 0 using Chi squared and Student''s t-test. The results showed that 56 of donors (44 male: 78. 6% and 12 female: 21. 4%) were infected to HTLV، with average age 40. 27±10. 02. The prevalence of HTLV infection among all donors was 0. 26%. There was a significant correlation between age، marital status، times of blood donation and educational levels and HTLV infection. Regarding lower rate of infection among younger and regular blood donors and donors with higher educational levels، it should be considered to select donors from this population.