At a Glance Why Get Tested? When to Get Tested? When you have
signs or symptoms that suggest that you may have an HTLV-
associated condition, especially when you have identified risk
factors; rarely when you have donated blood and been told that
you are positive for HTLV A blood sample drawn from a vein in
your arm; rarely a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected
by a doctor from the lower back using a procedure called a
lumbar puncture or spinal tap Test Preparation Needed? The Test
Sample What is being tested? Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
is associated with certain rare diseases of T lymphocytes
(T-cells), a type of white blood cell that is an important part
of the body's immune system. This test detects an HTLV infection
in order to help identify the virus as the underlying cause of
an individual's leukemia, lymphoma, or rare nervous system
disorder. Two types of HTLV are most commonly tested: HTLV-I and
HTLV-II. It is estimated that 15-20 million people worldwide are
infected with HTLV. There i