Scientists Fear Outbreak Caused by Ancient Virus HTLV-1
Health

Scientists Fear Outbreak Caused by Ancient Virus HTLV-1

HTLV-1 was the first identified human retrovirus, discovered in 1979, and it is an ancient virus that has been detected in 1500-year-old South American mummies. It is a distant relative of the much better-known HIV virus, and its treatment, prevention, and cure are not known. There is currently no vaccine in sight against it.

The virus is present in several countries worldwide, with statistics indicating it affects 20 million people. In Australia, it is becoming an increasing problem, particularly among Indigenous communities, where in certain parts of the country, up to 45 percent of Indigenous adults may carry it.

Like HIV, it attacks the immune system and spreads through sexual contact (as well as through blood or even breast milk), but it is much harder to contract and has a longer incubation period, which may explain why it has received less attention so far. It most commonly causes adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and various neurological diseases, such as myelopathy (disruption of the cervical spinal cord function) or tropical spastic paraparesis (lower limb paralysis accompanied by muscle stiffness, TSP).

Created: 2019-06-13 21:00
Last modified: 2019-06-13 21:00

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