Global epidemic of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I).
Infection with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus-I (HTLV-I) is now a global epidemic, affecting 10 million to 20 million people. This virus has been linked to life-threatening, incurable diseases: adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The cumulative lifetime risk of developing these incurable diseases is approximately 5% in asymptomatic patients. For the emergency physician practicing among patients from high-risk groups, HTLV-I and its associated diseases are presenting an increasing challenge. This report describes its transmission, seroprevalence, treatment, and methods of controlling spread of this retrovirus. Coinfection with HTLV-I and HIV has been shown to accelerate the progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Edlich
R F
RF
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Arnette
J A
JA
Williams
F M
FM
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014943:Global Health; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies