HTLV-I/II screening adult T-cell leukemia
Blood test screening for antibodies to HTLV (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1/2 from serum
)Infection diagnosis Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) / STIs
HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 infection, screening test
HTLV type-1 is found in the Caribbean, Africa and in southern Japan.
In the Netherlands, infections with HTLV-1 are found mainly in people fromSuriname
, the Netherlands Antilles, and sometimes in drug users who work with needles. The virus
can cause neurological disorders (HTLV-associated myelopathy/HAM, orTropical
Spastic Paraparesis/TSP). Infection with HTLV-1 can lead later in life to
a particular form of leukemia called adult T-cell leukemia.
Transmission of this disease occurs through sexual contact, breast milk, blood products containing cells and dirty needles.
Special test, delivery time is longer than other tests.
Method used: Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)
The result is good if it's negative.
In case of a positive result, a confirmation test (PCR test) should be performed so that you know immediately if it is a recent infection.
IgM antibodies usually form 2-4 weeks after suspected infection and IgG antibodies 4-8 weeks after suspected infection.
Most infected people have no symptoms, but remain carriers of the virus. There is no vaccine against HTLV-I/II. If you register as a donor at Sanquin, your blood will be tested for HTLV-I/II at the first screening.
