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HelpTest Code HTLVI Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Types I and II Antibody Screen with Confirmation, Serum
Reporting Name
HTLV-I/-II Ab Screen, SUseful For
Qualitative detection of human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II)-specific antibodies with confirmation and differentiation between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection
This test should not be used to screen blood, human cells, tissues, or solid-organ donors.
This test is not intended for use on cord blood specimens.
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTLVL | HTLV-I/-II Ab Confirmation, S | Yes | No |
Testing Algorithm
If the human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I/-II) antibody screen is reactive, then HTLV-I/-II antibody confirmation by line immunoassay will be performed at an additional charge.
Method Name
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
This test is for serum specimens only. For spinal fluid specimens, order HTLVC / Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/-2) Antibody Screen with Confirmation, Spinal Fluid.
Necessary Information
Date of collection is required.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).
2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.6 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Heat-treated or precipitated specimens | Reject |
Reference Values
Negative
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
CPT Code Information
86790
86689 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HTLVI | HTLV-I/-II Ab Screen, S | 29901-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9539 | HTLV-I/-II Ab Screen, S | 29901-6 |
Clinical Information
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) are closely related exogenous human retroviruses. HTLV-I was first isolated in 1980 from a patient with a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, while HTLV-II was identified from a patient with hairy cell leukemia in 1982.
HTLV-I infection is endemic in southwestern Japan, the Caribbean basin, Melanesia, and parts of Africa, where HTLV-I seroprevalence rates are as high as 15% in the general population. In the United States, the combined HTLV-I and HTLV-II seroprevalence rate is about 0.016% among voluntary blood donors. About half of these infected blood donors are infected with HTLV-I, with most of them reporting a history of birth in HTLV-I-endemic countries or sexual contact with persons from the Caribbean or Japan. Smaller percentages report a history of either injection drug use or blood transfusion. Transmission of HTLV-I occurs from mother to fetus, sexual contact, blood transfusion, and sharing of contaminated needles. Two diseases are known to be caused by HTLV-I infection: adult T-cell leukemia or lymphoma, and a chronic degenerative neurologic disease known as HTLV-I-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis. Cases of polymyositis, chronic arthropathy, panbronchiolitis, and uveitis also have been reported in patients with a HTLV-I infection.
In the United States and Europe, HTLV-II is prevalent among persons who inject drugs (PWID). In the United States, over 80% of HTLV infections in drug users are due to HTLV-II. HTLV-II appears to be endemic in American indigenous populations, including the Guaymi tribe in Panama and Native Americans in Florida and New Mexico. HTLV-II-infected blood donors most often report either a history of injection drug use or a history of sexual contact with a PWID. A smaller percentage of infected individuals report a history of blood transfusion. HTLV-II is transmitted similarly to HTLV-I, but much less is known about the specific modes and efficiency of transmission of HTLV-II. The virus can be transmitted by transfusion of cellular blood products (whole blood, red blood cells, and platelets). HTLV-II infection has been associated with hairy-cell leukemia, but definitive evidence is lacking on a viral etiologic role. HTLV-II has also been linked with neurodegenerative disorders characterized by spastic paraparesis and variable degrees of ataxia.
Infection by these viruses results in the appearance of specific antibodies against the viruses that can be detected by serologic tests such as enzyme immunoassay. For accurate diagnosis of HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection, all initially screening test-reactive results should be verified by a confirmatory test, such as Western blot or line immunoassay.
Interpretation
Negative screening results indicate the absence of both human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I- and HTLV-II)-specific IgG antibodies in serum.
A reactive screening test result is suggestive of infection with either HTLV-I or HTLV-II. However, this result does not confirm infection (eg, low specificity), and it cannot differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection.
Specimens with reactive screening test results will be tested automatically by the line immunoassay (LIA) confirmatory test. Positive LIA results provide confirmatory evidence of infection with HTLV-I or HTLV-II.
A reactive screening result with a negative or indeterminate confirmatory test result suggests either a false-reactive screening test result or a seroconverting HTLV infection. Repeat testing in 1 to 2 months can clarify the final infection status. Persistently indeterminate confirmatory test results indicate absence of HTLV infection.
Cautions
A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I or HTLV-II). Levels of total antibodies to these viruses may be undetectable in early infection.
Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:
-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level of >20 mg/dL)
-Grossly lipemic (triolein level of >3000 mg/dL)
-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level of >3051 mg/dL)
-Containing particulate matter
-Cadaveric specimens
Method Description
The Avioq HTLV-I/II Microelisa System is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in which the solid phase (microwells) is coated with a purified human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I (HTLV-I) viral lysate, a purified HTLV-II viral lysate, and a recombinant HTLV-I p21E antigen. With the addition of a diluted test sample containing antibodies to either HTLV-I or HTLV-II, complexes are formed by the interaction of the antibodies in the sample and the solid phase antigens. Following incubation, the sample is aspirated and the well is washed with buffer. Subsequently, antihuman immunoglobulin (goat) conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is added, which binds the antibody-antigen complex during a second incubation. Following a wash and incubation with TMB (tetramethylbenzidine) substrate, a blue color is produced. The enzyme reaction is stopped by the addition of a sulfuric acid solution, which changes the color to yellow. The amount of HTLV-I / HTLV-II specific antibodies present in the sample is proportional to the color intensity.(Package insert: Avioq HTLV-I/II Microelisa System. Avioq, Inc; 05/2019)