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Update on Neurological Manifestations of HTLV-1 Infection

  • Central Nervous System Infections (J Lyons, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that infects 10–20 million persons around the world. Initially associated with the hematological malignancy adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV-1 is also the cause of a chronic progressive myelopathy named “HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis” (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP arises as the tip of the iceberg of an assortment of neurological syndromes triggered by the virus such as inflammatory myopathies, polyneuropathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndromes, dysautonomia, and cognitive impairment. HAM/TSP typifies a chronic progressive spastic paraparesis with neurogenic bladder and minimal sensory signs. The neuropathology of HAM/TSP is concentrated in the thoracic spinal cord and is typically biphasic. Initially, there is a perivascular lymphocytic cuffing and mild parenchymal mononuclear infiltrates. Subsequently, this is replaced by gliosis and scarring. The neuropathogenesis of HTLV-1 is still partially understood. At present, the therapy of HAM/TSP remains basically symptomatic.

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Abelardo Araujo has no disclosures.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Laboratory for Clinical Research in Neuroinfections, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INI), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazilian Ministry of Health, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil

    Abelardo Q-C Araujo

  2. The Deolindo Couto Institute of Neurology (INDC), The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Venceslau Braz 95, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22290-140, Brazil

    Abelardo Q-C Araujo

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Correspondence to Abelardo Q-C Araujo.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Central Nervous System Infections

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Araujo, A.QC. Update on Neurological Manifestations of HTLV-1 Infection. Curr Infect Dis Rep 17, 6 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-014-0459-0

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