title: HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis accompanied with psoriasis.
abstract: Two adult females developed HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and psoriasis. Both showed chronic progressive paraparesis and sharply demarcated erythematous scaling plaques on their extremities and trunk. One patient had polymyositis while in the other anti-thyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibodies and SS-A antibody, all autoantibodies, were positive. Both patients were treated by intramuscular injections of interferon-alpha for 2 to 4 weeks, resulting in amelioration of paraparesis. After the therapy psoriasis and polymyositis markedly improved in one patient without any additional therapy, while in the other simultaneous use of topical corticosteroids was effective. This is the first report to describe occurrences of psoriasis in HAM/TSP patients. Although there are several reports indicating interferon-alpha induces or exacerbates psoriasis, our experience suggests that psoriasis associated with HAM/TSP can be successfully managed even during interferon-alpha therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukoada 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawajiri
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikezoe
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osoegawa
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murai
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ochi
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taniwaki
authors.forename: Jun-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha