title: HTLV-1 polymyositis.
abstract: The case is described of an HTLV-1 seropositive Jamaican woman who presented with signs and symptoms of polymyositis and myelopathy. A muscle biopsy showed features of myositis with a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, variation in fibre size and evidence of regeneration. Immunocytochemistry showed the mononuclear cells were composed of macrophages and T-lymphocytes suggesting a cell-mediated response. Multiplex PCR demonstrated the presence of the HTLV-1 tax gene within the muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morbid Anatomy, London Hospital Medical College, U.K.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swash
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology