ANTI-HUMAN T-LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE 1 (HTLV-1) SEROPOSITIVITY IN HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES AT A MAJOR CLINICAL SETTING IN GHANA

Background Human T-cell lymphotropic virus - 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of Adult T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphoma (ATLL), a malignancy of CD4+ cells, and HTLV-1-associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a demyelinating disease. Globally, 10-20 million people are infected, though most remain asymptomatic and about 5% progress to severe disease. Transmission occurs mainly through breastfeeding, sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood transfusion. In Ghana, evidence on the role of HTLV-1 in haematological malignancies remains scarce. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 200 patients with haematological malignancies (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia - 4, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia - 6, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia - 27, Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia - 63, Hodgkin Lymphoma - 21, Multiple Myeloma - 31, Myelodysplasia - 6, Myeloproliferative Neoplasm - 11) at the Haematology Day Care of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. After informed consent was obtained, sera from study participants were tested for anti-HTLV-1 using MP Diagnostics GmbH ELISA immunoassay. Data were analysed using R software version 4.0.2 and SPSS version 31.0.0. Results The study population had a mean age of 49.1{+/-}17.7 years, with majority being females (n=109, 54.5%). Of the 200 samples, 16 (8.0%) were seropositive for HTLV-1, and these were detected in 4 males and 12 females. No statistically significant association was found between HTLV-1 infection and haematological malignancy (exact p = 0.061), sex (p=0.061), and history of blood transfusion (exact p= 1.000). Conclusion The findings show the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 of 8.0% among patients with haematological malignancies. Although there was no probable association between HTLV-1 and haematological malignancies, screening for HTLV-1 in patients with haematological malignancies may help to unravel the exact contribution in these conditions.