Seroprevalence and molecular detection of human t-cell lymphotropic virus type -1 among pregnant women attending antenatal care in some hospitals in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-1) is a global health concern, infecting an estimated 10 to 20 million people worldwide. It is endemic in regions such as southern Japan, West and Central Africa (including Nigeria), the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Melanesia. The virus is primarily transmitted through unprotected sex, mother-to-child transmission (especially via breastfeeding), and exposure to infected blood or tissues. Identifying infected mothers before delivery is vital to prevent vertical transmission. HTLV-1 is considered the most oncogenic human virus, linked to serious diseases like Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy (HAM). Despite its impact, no data exists on HTLV-1 prevalence among pregnant women in Jigawa State, Nigeria. To fill this gap, a hospital-based study was conducted from March 2023 to January 2024 in three General Hospitals located in Dutse, Ringim, and Hadeji, involving 91 pregnant women. Blood samples were screened using ELISA, with four borderline cases further confirmed positive by RT-PCR, targeting the HBZ gene with Ct values ≤29, indicating strong positivity. The seroprevalence of HTLV-1 was 4.4%. While no significant association was found with most of the socio-demographic factors considered, a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) showed a statistically significant correlation (p = 0.017). These findings underscore the need for targeted public health education and awareness campaigns, especially in antenatal clinics, to curb transmission and mitigate future risks. Children born to HTLV-1-positive mothers are potential future blood donors and mothers, reinforcing the importance of early detection and preventive strategies.