Mystery infections traced to blood-shedding religious ritual

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Mystery infections tied to blood-shedding ritual

After 10 British men became infected with a little-known virus, without taking risks associated with the spread of the disease, researchers may have finally discovered the source of their mystery infection. Investigators eventually learned the men had taken part in blood-shedding religious rituals. The virus, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, typically spreads through breastfeeding, sex, blood transfusion and sharing of needles.

Add self-flagellation to the list of ways to get a dangerous viral blood infection.

Researchers said Wednesday that they were initially puzzled how 10 British men had become infected with a little-known virus, because the men hadn't taken risks usually associated with the disease.

But then investigators learned they had participated in blood-shedding religious rituals — cutting or whipping themselves — in Iraq, Pakistan, India and the United Kingdom.

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"There's been suggestions that you might spread infections through this route, but it's never been described before" in a published medical study, said Dr. Divya Dhasmana of St. Mary's Hospital in London.

She is one of the authors of the study released Wednesday in a journal published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The men were infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, known as HTLV-1. Most people infected with the virus never develop symptoms, but some develop terrible illnesses, like a deadly blood cancer or a debilitating nervous system condition.

HTLV-1 spreads through breastfeeding, sex, blood transfusion and sharing of needles. Experts have estimated that up to 10 million people worldwide are infected, though it is considered relatively rare in the United States and United Kingdom.

None of the men in the study had symptoms. They were diagnosed accidentally, through tests that preceded blood donations or in vitro fertilization procedures.

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They came to the attention of researchers at St. Mary's Hospital, which is a referral center in England for HTLV-1 cases. The mystery was solved when Dhasmana noticed scars on the back of one man, leading to questions that revealed all 10 men had participated in religious self-flagellation.

One ritual involves striking the forehead with a knife and then passing it along to other men. Another involves striking the back with a chain of blades or other bladed implement.

One man said that when he did it, the blades being passed around were soaked in a bucket containing an over-the-counter antiseptic solution. But that is inadequate to prevent spread of HTLV-1, Dhasmana said.

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The practice of whipping or cutting oneself has been practiced among different religious groups, most notably by Shiite Muslims on the holy day Ashoura. Usually only men do it, and it's controversial even within religious communities.

Dhasmana said: "Our message is not 'Don't do it.' Our message is 'If you do it, don't share equipment.'"