I posted a note a while ago about a patient that is due in Oct., 2nd baby,
breastfed the first one fine.  She has had her blood tested in 1992 and was
told the screening test for HTLV 1 or II antibodies was positive.  The letter
is very direct in stating that this has nothing to do with HIV or Aids but
can be associated with adult T-cell Leukemia, a form of cancer of a specific
group of blood cells and topical spastic paraparesis, a disorder of the
nervous system in a small percentage of persons who are infected with it.
 Transmission to a child at the time of birth is suspected, but unproven.
 HTLV I or II is transmitted by : Transfusion of blood products, Breast milk,
sexual contact, sharing of contaminated needles and syringes.

My question is, Can she breastfeed or not......nobody here in Austin seems to
know for sure.  Are there any experts out there that can help me counsel this
patient.  Is there someone that I can contact to get more information on
this?  My guess is she probably can not breastfeed...but I would like some
literature to back this up to give to her.  Any help on this would be great.

Donna
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