| human T-cell lymphotropic virus | A group of viruses (subfamily Oncovirinae, family Retroviridae) that are lymphotropic with a selective affinity for the helper/inducer cell subset of T lymphocytes and that are associated with adult T-cell leukaemia and lymphoma. Synonym: human T-cell lymphotropic virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| human t-lymphotropic virus | <virology> Type i: A human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus from the subfamily Oncovirinae which causes adult T-cell leukaemia and T-cell lymphoma and may also be involved in certain demyelinating diseases (diseases where the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibres are destroyed). HTLV-I is closely related to HTLV-II (60% of their genomes are identical). Type II: A human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus from the subfamily Oncovirinae which may cause diseases such as T-cell leukaemia and T-cell lymphoma (but this has not been proven). HTLV-II is closely related to HTLV I (60% of their genomes are identical). Type III: An obsolete term for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Acronym: HTLV (09 Oct 1997) |