Demonstration of HTLV-Related Pro viral DNA Sequences and Antibodies Reactive with HTLV Internal Proteins in an Hungarian Patient with Sézary Syndrome

Abstract

DNA sequences distantly related to the proviral DNA of HTLV-I were found in the leukemic cells of a Hungarian patient suffering from Sézary syndrome. Serum samples from the patient contained antibodies reactive with the internal core polypeptides of HTLV-1 and HTLV-I 1, but not with the env gene encoded type-specific HTLV antigens. The husband and daughter of the patient also had antibodies of the same specificity. These findings suggest the presence of a virus distantly related to HTLV-I and HTLV-II.

Key Words:

• Sézary syndrome
• HTLV-related provirus
• crossreactive antibodies