TRANSMISSION OF ADULT T-CELL LEUKEMIA RETROVIRUS (HTLV-I) FROM MOTHER TO CHILD: COMPARISON OF BOTTLE-WITH BREAST-FED BABIES

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HTLV-I is commonly believed to be transmitted from HTLV-I seropositive mothers to infants via breast milk. In 11 of 24 breast-fed infants born to HTLV-I seropositive mothers, HTLV-I antigen-positive cells were detected in peripheral blood samples obtained 12 months after birth. In sharp contrast, they were detected in only one of 11 bottle-fed infants of HTLV-I seropositive mothers. Thus bottle-feeding appears to be an effective method to avoid HTLV-I transmission from HTLV-I seropositive mothers to infants.