Overview and Clinical Significance

Anti-HTLV I/II refers to antibodies against Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus types I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II), which are retroviruses associated with hematologic and neurological disorders.

Clinical Significance

• HTLV-I & Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL): HTLV-I is linked to ATL, a form of blood cancer, and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a progressive neurological disorder.
• HTLV-II & Potential Associations: HTLV-II has been detected in injection drug users, but its disease associations remain less defined.
• Transmission & Risk Factors: HTLV-I/II spreads through blood transfusions, sexual contact, breastfeeding, and organ transplantation.
• Diagnostic & Therapeutic Applications: Anti-HTLV I/II antibody testing helps detect viral infections, assess disease risk, and guide clinical management.

Anti-HTLV I/II antibodies are key markers for retroviral infections, influencing cancer risk, neurological health, and diagnostic evaluations.

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