Prevalence of herpesvirus, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1, and treponemal infections in Southeast Asian refugees
Author(s):
Buchwald, D.; Hooton, T. M.; Ashley, R. L.
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Journal Of Medical Virology, Volume 38, Issue 3 (1992-11). pp. 195-199.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Sera obtained for treponemal serology (VDRL) from 193 Southeast Asian refugees representing five ethnic groups seen in a primary care clinic were examined for antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human herpes-virus-6 (HHV-6), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The seroprevalence was highest for EBV (99%), followed in decreasing order by CMV (95%), HHV-6 (26%), and HTLV-1 (0.6%). The VDRL was positive in 15% of patients. The highest seroprevalence to HHV-6 was noted in the Chinese (33%) and the lowest in the Laotian hilltribes, the Mien and Hmong (14%). Antibody to HHV-6 was most prevalent among patients under 20 and those between 60 and 69 years of age. Differences were not found among ethnic groups in the seroprevalence of HTLV-1, EBV, or CMV.