title: Human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II (HTLV-I/II) associated with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM): two case reports.
abstract: We describe two patients with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II (HTLV-I/II) exposure, and with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in one case. HTLV-I/II are well known retroviral agents of myelopathy and B-cell dysfunction in humans. NMO is an autoimmune, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), also linked to B-cell dysfunction. Therefore, the immunopathogenesis of NMO may in some cases be linked to human HTLV exposure. Awareness of a possible association with human retroviral exposure will contribute to the optimal diagnosis and management of patients presenting with LETM or NMO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. sdelgado1@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Silvia R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sheremata
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Micheline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
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