Bronchiectasis is associated with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 infection in an Indigenous Australian population

Abstract

Background. Recent studies suggest that infection with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) might be associated with bronchiectasis among Indigenous Australians. The present study compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of bronchiectasis in this population, according to HTLV-1 serologic status. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of Indigenous adults with bronchiectasis and known HTLV-1 serologic status admitted to Alice Springs Hospital, central Australia, from January 2000 through December 2006. Results. Among 89 Indigenous adults whose HTLV-1 serologic status was confirmed, 52 (58.4%) were HTLV-1 seropositive. Differences between HTLV-1-seropositive and HTLV-1-s..