Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II-associated myelopathy: Clinical and immunologic profiles

摘要: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) is endemic in several ethnic tribes and among intravenous drug users metropolitan areas. Despite the presence of HTLV-II these various populations, association with disease sparse mainly limited to isolated case reports. This study an extension earlier description HTLV-II-infected patient neurologic presents clinical immunologic findings 4 patients seropositivity spastic paraparesis. The are African-American origin 3 being Amerindian descent. All seronegative for human immunodeficiency (HIV). progressed a nonambulatory state less than 5 years. Magnetic resonance imaging studies obtained from demonstrated white matter cerebrum spinal cord. cerebrospinal fluid serum contained antibodies HTLV-II. proviral was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). A cord biopsy 1 HTLV RNA within lesion. Immunologic on 2 that spontaneous lymphoproliferation PBLs present but decreased relative HTLV-I-infected patients. resemble those found HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical