Antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type-I in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis

Lancet. 1985 Aug 24;2(8452):407-10. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92734-5.

Abstract

10 out of 17 (59%) patients with tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) had antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus-I (HTLV-I), as did 5 out of 5 TSP patients with systemic symptoms. Only 13 out of 303 (4%) controls, made up of blood donors, medical personnel, and other neurological patients, had such antibodies. These findings suggest either that HTLV-I is neurotropic or that the virus or a related one contributes to the pathogenesis of TSP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis
  • Deltaretrovirus / immunology*
  • Deltaretrovirus / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Martinique
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / microbiology
  • Paraplegia / etiology
  • Paraplegia / microbiology*
  • Tropical Climate

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral