Tropical spastic paraparesis in an aborigine.
OBJECTIVE
To present the first documented case of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in the Australian population.


METHODS
A 31-year-old Aboriginal man with an 18-month history of progressive weakness of the legs was found to have an upper motor neurone weakness of all limbs associated with sphincteric disturbance and impotence. HTLV-I antibodies were detected in his serum and no other cause for the patient's myelopathy could be found.


RESULTS
He was counselled regarding HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first description of HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in an Australian. In cases of spinal cord disorder without evidence of compression we recommend serological testing for HTLV-I, especially in Aboriginal patients. Additionally, testing of blood donors for this retrovirus needs consideration.
Rajabalendaran
N
N
Department of Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, NT.
Burns
R
R
Mollison
L C
LC
Blessing
W
W
Kirubakaran
M G
MG
Lindschau
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000208:ethnology*; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples