HTLV-1 associated myelopathy in Canada.
We report the clinical and laboratory findings of six Canadian patients with progressive myelopathy associated with HTLV-1 infection. The diagnosis was suspected on clinical grounds and supported by serological studies and positive gene amplification. Only five had emigrated from an area endemic for HTLV-1 infection. Tropical spastic paraparesis should be considered in all patients with myelopathy, even those without standard serological markers of HTLV-1 infection. The pathogenesis of this condition and the serological and molecular biological means by which this diagnosis can be made are reviewed.
Power
C
C
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, University Hospital, London, Canada.
Weinshenker
B G
BG
Dekaban
G A
GA
Ebers
G C
GC
Francis
G S
GS
Rice
G P
GP
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D004279:DNA, Viral