Antenatal Screening for HTLV-1 and -2 Among Pregnant Women in Grenada: Combined Seroprevalence, Trends, and Public Health Implications (2015-2024).

The prevalence of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) infections in Grenada has not been published since 2013. This study aimed to determine the combined seroprevalence and trends in HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 among pregnant women in Grenada from 2015 to 2024. Data were analyzed to determine the overall combined seroprevalence, observed trends, and public health implications over time. Data obtained from the Ministry of Health, Grenada, were analyzed to determine and compare the annual combined seroprevalence rate and the prevalence by age group and by health district during 2015-2024. Every pregnant woman included in the analysis was tested for HTLV-1 and -2 at the government's public laboratories in Grenada. The overall rate of infection among persons tested was 1.45%. The highest prevalence of infection was among the 40+ (mature) age group. A significant association was found between HTLV infection and the mature age group (ϰ = 7.981, = 0.017, OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1559-5.7122). Pregnant women aged 40 years and over are 2.6 times more at risk of infection compared to pregnant adolescents. Trends were also observed by health district, in which the prevalence rate was the highest in St. Patrick (2.18%) and the lowest in St. George (0.95%). Although there were no statistically significant associations observed between HTLV and the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for further research to understand the impact of emergencies on HTLV screening and prevalence. Further studies are also needed to identify factors and modes of HTLV transmission. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of targeted surveillance and tailored interventions to address HTLV transmission risks and protect population health in Grenada.