title: HTLV-1 Associated Neurological Disorders.
abstract: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus which is endemic to certain regions of the world and infects around 10-20 million people. HTLV-1 is the etiologic agent of Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1 associated neurological disorders including mainly HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/Tropical spastic paraparesis. The involvement of the central nervous diseases occurs among: HTLV-1 infected patients from endemic areas, HIV positive individuals and drug users. The ability of HTLV-1 to cause associated neuropathies starts with the virus crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), then entering and infecting the cells of the central nervous system. As a consequence, to the viral attack, HTLV-1 infected lymphocytes produce pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6 which further disrupts the BBB. Different serological tests have been used in the diagnosis of HTLV-1. These include: ELISA, Western Blotting (WB), Immunofluorescence, Particle Agglutination and Polymerase Chain Reaction which is used as a confirmatory test. Danazol, pentoxifylline, azathioprine and vitamin C have been used in the treatment of the HTLV-1 associated neurological disorders. Other antiviral drugs (lamivudine, zidovudine), monoclonal antibodies (Daclizumab) and therapeutic agents (valporic acid, interferons) have also been evaluated. No known drug, so far, has been shown to be efficacious. The aim of this review is to present the complexities of HTLV-1 associated neurological disorders and their current ongoing treatment. In addition to discussing future possible therapeutic strategies, by targeting HTVL-1 viral components and gene/s products, for the treatment of those neurological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Yasir
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan.|Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.|Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ishaq Nasib
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Karim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ishtiaq
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qadri
authors.affiliation: Special Infectious Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.|Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770.|Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia.
authors.forename: Muhammad Amjad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al Ghamdi
authors.affiliation: King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770; Novel Global Community Educational Foundation. Australia.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harakeh
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: Antiviral drugs; Blood brain barrier; HTLV-1; Neurological disorders; New drugs
  discovery; Pathogenesis; Reteroviradae