Neuroimmunological aspects of human T cell leukemia virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a human retrovirus etiologically associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Only approximately 0.25-4 % of infected individuals develop HAM/TSP; the majority of infected individuals remain lifelong asymptomatic carriers. Recent data suggest that immunological aspects of host-virus interactions might play an important role in the development and pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. This review outlines and discusses the current understanding, ongoing developments, and future perspectives of HAM/TSP research.
Department of Microbiology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan, mineki@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp.
Mineki
M
Saito
D002353:Carrier State; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014775:Virus Activation