title: Immunological and viral features in patients with overactive bladder associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection.
abstract: The majority of patients infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus-type 1 (HTLV-1) are considered carriers, but a high frequency of urinary symptoms of overactive bladder, common in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have been documented in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine if immunological and viral factors that are seen in HAM/TSP are also observed in these patients. Participants were classified as HTLV-1 carriers (n = 45), HTLV-1 patients suffering from overactive bladder (n = 45) and HAM/TSP (n = 45). Cells from HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients produced spontaneously more proinflammatory cytokines than carriers. TNF-α and IL-17 levels were similar in HAM/TSP and HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients. High proviral load was found in patients with overactive bladder and HAM/TSP and correlated with proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast with findings in patients with HAM/TSP, serum levels of Th1 chemokines were similar in HTLV-1 overactive bladder and carriers. Exogenous addition of regulatory cytokines decreased spontaneous IFN-γ production in cell cultures from HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients. The results show that HTLV-1 overactive bladder and HAM/TSP patients have in common some immunological features as well as similar proviral load profile. The data show that HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients are still able to down regulate their inflammatory immune response. In addition, these patients express levels of chemokines similar to carriers, which may explain why they have yet to develop the same degree of spinal cord damage as seen in patients with HAM/TSP. These patients present symptoms of overactive bladder, which may be an early sign of HAM/TSP.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Service, Professor Edgard Santos University Hospital, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvane Braga
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Anselmo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Isadora
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Davi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tanajura
authors.forename: André Luiz
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: Marshall J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Glesby
authors.forename: Edgar M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011533:Proviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines