HTLV seroprevalence in pregnant women with HBV: an unlinked anonymous surveillance study

Approximately 20,000-30,000 people are living with HTLV-1 in the UK, which causes a range of chronic and disabling conditions. The WHO have called for improved prevention strategies, recommending the need to estimate the prevalence in key populations according to country context, including pregnant women, gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID). We built on existing HBV surveillance in pregnant women to describe the prevalence of detectable HTLV antibodies in this group.

Findings will inform antenatal testing strategy those at high risk of HTLV, enabling implementation of prevention interventions (e.g., avoidance of breastfeeding).