OBJECTIVES:

To describe the results of the epidemiological investigation of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection and to emphasize the importance of university extension actions in the prevention of this infection and associated diseases in Belém, Pará State, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In university extension actions carried out from August 2015 to July 2016, 524 people were investigated in a university area and in a public space in Belém. Cases identified with anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies were submitted to DNA provirus research by nested PCR and invited to perform clinical and laboratory evaluation and research with the patient’s family.

RESULTS:

Anti-HTLV-1/2 antibody was observed in 15.3% (80/524) of the investigated patients, corresponding to 58.0% (58/100) of the cases referred to the university area, 20.5% (15/73) of the relatives of virus carriers, and 2.1% (7/341) of those investigated in the public space. HTLV-1 infection was observed in 35.0% (35/100) of the cases referred to the university area, 13.7% (10/73) of the relatives, and 1.5% (5/341) of the cases in the public space. HTLV-2 infection was confirmed in 11.0% (11/100) of the cases referred to the university area, 2.7% (2/73) of the relatives and 0.6% (2/341) of the public space. The frequency of infection was significant among women (18.6%, p = 0.0146) and transfused (27.6%, p = 0.0021).

CONCLUSION:

The high prevalence of HTLV infection observed in this study justifies the necessity for programs and actions aimed at the investigation of the virus carriers in the region. Results from a larger study may support the creation of regionalized actions of clinical management and rehabilitation of patients.

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