title: [Tropical spastic paraparesis in Martinique. High prevalence of anti-HTLV-I antibodies].
abstract: Owing to the frequent occurrence in tropical countries of subacute spinal cord diseases of unknown origin, a nosological entity called tropical spastic paraparesis has been individualized. Twenty-two cases have been observed in Martinique. The presence in the serum of antibodies directed against human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-I) in 15 of these 22 patients suggests that this lymphotropic virus or a related one might also be neurovirulent.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
vernacular_title: Paraparésies spastiques tropicales en Martinique. Haute prévalence d'anticorps HTLV-I.