Sporadic carriers of human T-lymphotropic virus type I in northern Egypt.

Sera from 3,158 individuals living in northern Egypt were tested for the presence of antibodies against human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) by the newly developed particle agglutination (PA) test. Ten sera gave a positive reaction in the PA test. Eight of these sera were examined further by Western blotting and all of them gave several bands corresponding to HTLV-I structural proteins. Two of the 8 sera gave positive results in the indirect immunofluorescence test. The results indicate the presence of HTLV-I carriers in this area, although at very low incidence (0.063%).