title: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in Sao Paulo, Brazil: association with blood transfusion.
abstract: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) has been epidemiologically linked to prior blood transfusion. The prevalence of transfusion as a risk factor for infection varies among endemic areas. Here we report the relative frequency of reported history of blood transfusion among 52 patients evaluated in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A patient reported history of blood transfusion prior to the onset of symptoms, found in 15 (28.8%) of the patients, was the most important risk factor identified in this group of patients when compared with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, homo/bisexuality, sexual promiscuity (three or more sexual partners a year), and intravenous drug use. The mean time between reported transfusions and the onset of symptoms was longer than previously reported. There was no trend toward a more severe evolution to motor inability among the HAM/TSP patients with a history of previous transfusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Brazil.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saez-Alquezar
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chamone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaff
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Marchiori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction