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Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann logoLink to Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann
. 1993 Jul;84(7):715–719. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1993.tb02034.x

HTLV‐I, HIV‐I, and Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Western Province, Papua New Guinea: A Serological Survey

Kazunari Yamaguchi 1,✉, Tsukasa Inaoka 2, Ryutaro Ohtsuka 3, Tomoya Akimichi 4, Tetsuro Hongo 3, Toshio Kawabe 3, Minato Nakazawa 3, Makoto Futatsuka 2, Kiyoshi Takatsuki 5
PMCID: PMC5919200  PMID: 7690354

Abstract

Seven hundred and twenty‐three serum samples from individuals in 13 Gidra‐speaking villages in Western Province, Papua New Guinea were tested for evidence of infection with human T‐ lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I), human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV‐I), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). No samples were positive for antibodies to HIV‐I. Antibodies to HTLV‐I were found in 13 samples (1.8%), HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) were found in 86 samples (11.9%), and antibodies to HCV were found in 30 samples (4.1%). Six (46.2%) of 13 HTLV‐I positive samples were positive for HCV or HBsAg. The seropositive rate varied in different villages and the incidence of HTLV‐I and HCV was higher in coastal and riverine areas than inland.

Keywords: HTLV‐I, HIV‐I, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Papua New Guinea

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