Definition of Human T-lymphotropic virus

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Human T-lymphotropic virus: HTLV. A retrovirus that causes adult T-cell leukemia. HTLV is endemic (constantly present) in southern Japan and the Caribbean basin and sporadically in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and the US.

Adult T-cell leukemia occurs in less than 0. 1% (1 IN 1500 HTLV carriers) of people with HTLV infection, with an average latency period (a long delay) of more than 30 years. HTLV can be transmitted by blood transfusions or tissue transplants, sexually, and by breast feeding (demonstrated in high endemic areas). The virus is also known as human T-lymphotropic virus-I (HTLV-I).