Epidemiology of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 among blood donors and general population in Iran: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: The present meta-analysis aims to assess the epidemiology of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) among blood donors and general population in Iran. Methods: The present study was designed according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: The prevalence of HTLV-1 in 34 studies with a sample size of 3,626,364 blood donors was 0.20% (95% CI: 0.15–0.26) and the prevalence of this virus among men and women blood donors was 0.20% (95% CI: 0.15–0.27) and 0.64% (95% CI: 0.13–3.01), respectively and the female-male odds ratio was 3.13 (1.35–7.25, p = 0.008). In five studies consisting of 4763 individuals, the prevalence of HTLV-1 among the general population who lived in the main HTLV-1 endemic regions (Khorasan provinces, in northeastern Iran) was 2.5% (95% CI: 1.3–4.7) and the prevalence of this virus among men and women was 2.4% (95% CI: 0.8–7.1) and 3.4% (95% CI: 2.0–5.7), respectively. According to the systematic review, the prevalence of HTLV-1 in general population living in non-endemic regions of HTLV-1 was reported to be 0.07% to 1.8%. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of HTLV-1 in the main HTLV-1 endemic regions of Iran, persistent prevention programs are required in blood transfusion centers in these regions.