Detection of HTLV-I antigen in peripheral and cord blood lymphocytes from carrier mothers.

Lancet · 1991

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Vertical transmission of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) from an antibody-positive carrier mother to her infant has been reported, but it is not clear when and by what route such transmission occurs. Peripheral blood and cord blood lymphocytes from 40 antibody-positive carrier mothers were cultured for 2 months and HTLV-I antigen was sought by indirect immunofluorescence. Viral antigen was detected in 28 (70%) samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes and in 2 of cord blood lymphocytes, both from mothers positive for antigen in peripheral blood. From these data it is estimated that transplacental infection occurs at a rate of about 7%.