Discovery and significance of new human T-lymphotropic viruses: HTLV-3 and HTLV-4

作者：Bagossi Peter; Bander Palma; Bozoki Beata; Tozser Jozsef^*

来源：Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 2009, 7(10): 1235-1249.

DOI：10.1586/ERI.09.97

• adult T-cell leukemia
• antiretroviral therapy
• Deltaretrovirus
• HTLV-1-associated myelopathy
• human T-lymphotropic virus
• tropical spastic paraparesis

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) were discovered approximately 30 years ago and they are associated with various lymphoproliferative and neurological diseases. The estimated number of infected people is 10-20 million worldwide. In 2005, two new HTLV-1/HTLV-2-related viruses were detected, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 from the same geographical area of Africa. In the last 4 years, their complete genomic sequences were determined and some of their characteristic features were studied in detail. These newly discovered retroviruses alongside their human (HTLV-1 and -2) and animal relatives (simian T-lymphotropic virus type 1-3) are reviewed. The potential risks associated with these viruses and the potential antiretroviral therapies are also discussed.

• 出版日期2009-12