title: Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-I (HTLV-I) retrovirus and human disease.
abstract: Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-I (HTLV-I) was the first pathogenic retrovirus identified in humans. HTLV-I is now linked to a number of clinical diseases, most notably adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and the syndrome known as HTLV-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). For the emergency physician practicing among patients from high-risk groups, HTLV-I infection and its associated diseases are presenting an increasing challenge. This report describes its transmission, seroprevalence, associated diseases, and methods to control the spread of this retrovirus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bentrem
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hammarskjöld
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015491:HTLV-II Infections; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic