HTLV-1 Seropositivity and Unexplained Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Jamaican Patients

Edwin Tulloch Reid¹*, Felix Nunura¹, Daniel Nepaul¹, Mikael Tulloch Reid¹, Dainia Baugh1, Lloyd Einsiedel² and Ernest Madu¹

Received: September 14, 2018;   Published: September 23, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/ACR.2018.01.000117

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Abstract

Background: Viruses have been implicated in the aetiology/pathogensis of unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy. 6% of adult Jamaicans are HTLV-1 seropositive. We therefore explored the relationship between HTLV-1 infectious cases and unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy in Jamaica.

Methods: Thirteen patients were recruited from Kingston Public Hospital Cardiology clinic, to study HTLV-1 seroprevalence in patients with unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy (WHO criteria: LVEF< 45 %, LVIDd>117% of upper limit for age and BSA without evidence of coronary disease, severe hypertension, excess alcohol intake, valvular heart disease and HIV infection). The HTLV-1 seroprevalence in a group of patients without dilated cardiomyopathy registered in the cardiology clinic was then compared. HTLV- 1 antibodies were detected by ELISA and confirmed where positive by Western Blot. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between HTLV-1 seropositivity and unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results: HTLV1 seroprevalence in 11 patients (7 males, 3 females) with unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy and 30 (11 males, 19 females) controls were compared. Three (27%) patients with cardiomyopathy and 3 (10%) of controls had HTLV-1 antibodies the crude OR (95%CI) for HTLV1 seropositivity was 3.36 (0.57-20.10). The age and sex adjusted OR (95%CI) was 2.71(0.43-17.19).

Conclusion: There may be an association between HTLV-1 infection and unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy in Jamaica. A larger study is required to further explore this potential relationship.

Category: Epidemiology.

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