Iranian Journal of Medical Microbiology

Background and Aim: The HTLV virus known as first human Retrovirus and it’s a part of the Oncoviridea family. An important feature of virus is geographic prevalence district that the North of Razavy Khorasan province (Northeast of Iran) is endemic for HTLV infection. The aim of this study is HTLV1, 2 infection's prevalence rate in children, teenage and juveniles who refers to Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)-Mashhad laboratory in Nyshabor in this study.

Materials and Methods: This cross – sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 1169 patients by ELISA method (Dia.pro diagnostic bioprobes, Italy) from August 2013 to August 2014 in this Center. The variables are genus and age.

Results: HTLV1, 2 infections were positive in 3.33% (39/1169) of the participants according to the results of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Infection was significantly associated with age and genus of participants.

Conclusions: Despite screening programs, frequent reports of many scholars and make awareness of people, the high prevalence of the virus in childhood, adolescence and youth in Nyshabor, is a big concern. So to solve this problem demands more effort and better ways for more learning of people.