Prevalence and genetic diversity of HTLV-1 among blood donors in Jiroft, Iran: a comprehensive study.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) among blood donors in Jiroft Province, southeast Iran, a region previously under-studied regarding this virus. A total of 405 blood donor samples were collected from six cities within Jiroft Province. Serum samples were screened for HTLV-1 antibodies using the ELISA method, while peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed via PCR targeting the long terminal repeat (LTR) and TAX regions of the virus. The study identified 6 out of 405 blood donors (1.5%) as positive for HTLV-1. Prevalence was higher among females (1.6%) compared to males (1.2%), with the age group of 46-64 years showing the highest positivity rate (4%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the LTR sequences of HTLV-1 in Jiroft were comparable to those circulating in Mashhad Province, with nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the LTR region of the isolates. The findings highlight the necessity for routine HTLV-1 screening among blood donors in Jiroft to ensure blood safety and mitigate the risk of transmission through transfusions. This study provides essential baseline data on HTLV-1 prevalence in Jiroft and contributes to the understanding of its genetic diversity, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.