title: Neuropathology of human and experimental TSP/HAM: a critical review.
abstract: Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy (TSP/HAM) is clinically characterized by chronic insidious spastic paraparesis associated with variable sensory impairment and sphincter symptoms. Neuropathological studies of this condition are based on a few autopsied cases, and on experimental animal models. However, divergent aspects exist between human and experimental animal neuropathology of TSP/HAM, namely, the site of lesions in the spinal cord, the involvement of peripheral nerves and roots, the nature of histological abnormalities, and the cellular reactions. Moreover, unanswered questions as to the preferential site of spinal affection, the temporal inflammatory picture, the selective damage of the corticospinal tract, the sparing of lower motor neurons, the inconsistent affection of sensory tracts, and the involvement of the brain, are outlined. A long-term, chronological, correlated clinical and neuropathological study in HAM experimental animals is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. pst016@sec.secrel.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos Maurício de Castro
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dom
authors.forename: Herwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carton
authors.forename: Terezinha de Jesus Teixeira
authors.initials: Tde J
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Andrada-Serpa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology