HTLV-1 in acquired adult myopathy.
We report a 53-year-old Jamaican man with 20 years of progressing weakness involving proximal limb muscles and neck flexors. Serum CK was 1100 IU/L. EMG demonstrated spontaneous activity, myopathic motor units, and full recruitment patterns in weak muscles. Muscle biopsy revealed marked myofiber degeneration with extensive fibrosis, suggesting a chronic myopathic process. HTLV-1 antibody was present in serum in high titers by ELISA and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry with rabbit polyclonal antisera to HTLV-1 showed rare staining myocytes. PCR demonstrated HTLV-1 DNA in frozen muscle tissue. This myopathy, associated with HTLV-1 infection, has clinical and pathological features similar to a dystrophy. We recommend serological screening for HTLV-1 in cryptogenic adult myopathies.
Dickoff
D J
DJ
Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029.
Simpson
D M
DM
Wiley
C A
CA
Mendelson
S G
SG
Farraye
J
J
Wolfe
D E
DE
Wachsman
W
W
D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000150:complications*