Further Evidence That HTLV Protects Against HIV Progression

Previous case reports have suggested an association between human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types 1 and 2 infection and chronic nonprogressive HIV infection. Evidence is lacking about the specifics of how the two are related. We report 2 cases of chronic nonprogressive HIV infection (of 9 and 13 years' duration, respectively) in women in whom HTLV coinfection was diagnosed. These cases provide clinical support that HTLV coinfection may serve as a protective factor against progression of HIV infection. Possible reasons for this relationship and potential future research are discussed. [Infect Med. 2008;25:416-420]