title: HTLV-I negative tropical spastic paraparesis: a scientific challenge.
abstract: We reviewed the historical, clinical and etiological aspects of the progressive chronic spastic myelopathies of unknown etiology, disserting on the clinical similarities between HTLV-I seropositive and seronegative tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), as well as focusing on the PCR studies of the seronegative TSP.
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, University Hospital, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. pst016@sec.secrel.com.br
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Castro-Costa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carton
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction