Tropical spastic paraparesis-like illness occurring in a patient dually infected with HIV-1 and HTLV-II

Neurology. 1991 Jan;41(1):85-7. doi: 10.1212/wnl.41.1.85.

Abstract

We describe a 34-year-old man from southern Florida with a history of intravenous drug use, dually infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II), who developed a myelopathy clinically indistinguishable from HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). This myelopathy was characterized by spastic lower extremity weakness, distal paresthesias, sensory loss with a discrete thoracic level to pinprick, back pain, impotence, and sphincter disturbances. Nerve conduction studies revealed an associated mixed axonal and demyelinative neuropathy. Despite a lack of response to 10 months of zidovudine therapy, the myeloneuropathy improved dramatically 2 years after its onset in the absence of any therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
  • Gait
  • HIV-1*
  • HTLV-II Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / complications*
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / physiopathology
  • Sensation