Detection and characterization of HTLV-I and HTLV-II isolated from HIV-1 coinfected individuals in São Paulo

Abstract

This work has the aim to characterize human T cell Leukemia Virus types I and II isolated from Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1-coinfected individuals from São Paulo city. Serum samples obtained from HIV-1-infected patients referred to Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas will be screened for the presence of HTLVs-specific antibodies using commercially ELISA and WB kits. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from coinfected patients will be used to study viral isolation, tropism, and biological properties of these retrovirus. The PCR and nested PCR will be employed and characterization of variants of HIV-1, HTLV-I and HTLV-II. The results obtained in this study may contribute to determine the prevalent type of HTLV presenting in São Paulo, and clear the effect of HIV/HTLVs coinfection on the progression to AIDS. (AU)