Descrição das técnicas e procedimentos laboratoriais no diagnóstico serológico do vírus Linfotrópico das células T humanas - HTLV

Abstract

This internship report was developed at the National Institute of Health (INS) — Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Serology in Maputo and aimed to describe the laboratory techniques and procedures in the serological diagnosis of human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) . A virus that preferentially infects cells called T lymphocytes, responsible for the body's defense. The internship lasted 3 (three) months and consisted of: Knowing and applying biosafety standards; to know and apply the laboratory standards for the reception, registration and forwarding of samples to the respective units; process plasma samples for the serological diagnosis of HTLV using ELISA and Western Blot techniques, respecting the following phases: First phase: Bibliographic research, consultation of books and manuals available at the Department of Immunology and other institutions. Second phase: Reception and registration of samples, processing using ELISA and Western Blot techniques. Third phase: Interpretation of the results obtained; Fourth stage: Drafting of the final report. A total of 726 HIV-positive plasma samples from patients from some day hospitals in the country were used for routine laboratory counting of CD4 T lymphocytes as a component of laboratory follow-up of HIV infection. Those with elevated CD4 counts underwent laboratory screening for HTLV using a commercial ABBOTT-MUREX HTLV-I/II ELISA test. Subsequently, all samples with positive reactivity for HTLV-I/II were confirmed by Western Blot. Of the total number of samples tested, 91 samples (12.53%) showed reactivity to the ELISA test. Of the 91 samples reactive to the ELISA test when retested in duplicate with the same ELISA test and confirmed with the Western Blot test, 75 samples (10.33%) confirmed were reactive. The identification of HTLV-I/II carriers is important to prevent the transmission of the infection, as well as to identify early symptoms of diseases associated with the virus, thus helping to better control and treat the diseases caused by the virus (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)