Sandbox: ATL

• Common risk factors in the development of adult T-cell leukemia among HTLV carriers include:

• Vertical transmission of HTLV infection during infancy
• Male sex
• Specific human leukocyte antigens such as:

• HLA-A 26
• HLA-B 4002
• HLA-B 4801

• Patients with a Strongyloides stercoralis co-infection
• An elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels (> 500 U/ml)
• An elevated anti-HTLV-1 antibody titer
• An elevated HTLV proviral load level (> 4 copies per 100 peripheral blood mononuclear cells)
• An elevated WBC count (> 9,000/μL)
• An elevated abnormal lymphocyte count
• A decreased level of anti-Tax reactivity