title: Spinal myoclonus associated with HTLV III/LAV infection.
abstract: We describe spinal myoclonus in a 35-year-old homosexual man with concurrent human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy--associated virus (HTLV III/LAV) infection of the central nervous system as indicated by intra-blood-brain barrier synthesis of HTLV III/LAV-specific IgG. The spinal myoclonus was characterized by asymmetric, rhythmic contractions of the abdomen with a frequency ranging between 40 and 70 per minute. The myoclonus was self-limited, resolving over the course of two months. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy--associated virus should be considered among the viral causes of spinal myoclonus.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology