GENOME ANALYSIS OF HTLV-I VIRUS IN PA POSITIVE AND IF NEGATIVE HEALTHY DONORS BY SOUTHERN BLOT HYBRIDIZATION

Abstract

In a screening test for natural antibodies against human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was performed using a new gelatin particle agglutination assay (PA) and an indirect immunofluoresecence assay (IF) sera with weak positive PA but negative IF were found in healthy donors. To confirm the presence of HTLV-I in these healthy donors, we performed Western blot analysis and Southern blot analysis. The proviral genome of the HTLV-I virus was detected in lymphocytes from 2 healthy donors. These results suggest that some healthy donors with weak positive PA but negative IF may be infected with the HTLV-I virus.