Blood samples from 13 locations in the Pacific and South-East Asia were tested for evidence of infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV). No samples were positive for antibody to HIV-1. Antibodies to HTLV-1 were found in samples from five locations, the maximum prevalence being 19%, in Vanuatu. Serological markers of HBV infection were found in all locations, the maximal prevalence being 88%, in Majuro, Micronesia. Antibodies to HDV in HBsAg positive sera were found in six locations with a maximum prevalence of 81% in Kiribati.
PIP: In a serological survey of samples taken throughout the Pacific and South-East Asia for HILV-1, HIV-1, HBV, and HDV infection, 9 of the samples tested positive for antibodies to HIV-1. HTLV-1 antibodies were found in 2 groups. Other findings showed 13 or 81% of HBsAG positive sera when tested for anti-HDV. Of all the locations surveyed, serological markers of HBV infection were noted. The maximum prevalence (88%) of HBV infection was found in Majuro, Micronesia. The greatest evidence of antibodies to HDV in HBsAG positive sera of 6 locations was found in kiribati (84% prevalence). The survey studied haemoglobinopathies from samples taken between May 1985 and February 1986 from New Guinea, Philippines, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. The survey volunteers were adult blood donors attending ante-natal clinic. Samples were also taken from a Tuvaluan community of immigrant workers in Nauru and from people from Kapingamarangi who have been resettled onto Ponape.