It is well known that human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated adult T cell leukemia (ATL) indirectly leads to some disorders such as monoclonal gammopathies, cancers, pulmonary complications and stronglyoides infections. The causative mechanism may be related with immunological abnormalities induced by HTLV-I.
Therefore, we studied lymphocyte subsets and immunosuppressive acid-proteins (IAP), especially variations with increasing age, in serologic HTLV-I+/- status of healthy adults.
We present results from 131 carriers and 74 non carriers.
1) In all age group, comparison of carriers with non carriers subsets of T3, T4, T8, IL-2R, Leu-7 and Leu-11 bearing lymphocytes are not statistically different. HTLV-I carriers had higher the mean T4:T8 ratio (1.9±1.0vs 1.6±0.5) and lower the T3-mean fluorescent intensity (73±11vs 78±11) than non-carriers.
2) T4/T8, T3-MFI and IL-2R lymphocytes is significantly different only over the age of 50 years between carriers and non carriers.
3) Actually only limited carriers with abnormal lymphocytes could be obtained concering these results showed significant differences.
4) Significant elevation of IAP with increasing age were noted only in carriers.
5) Titers of antibodies for HTLV-I are unaffected by aging.
