Turning a blind eye: HTLV-1-associated uveitis in Indigenous adults from Central Australia

Int Ophthalmol. 2018 Oct;38(5):2159-2162. doi: 10.1007/s10792-017-0659-3. Epub 2017 Jul 28.

Abstract

Purpose: We describe the first two cases of HTLV-1 associated uveitis to be associated with HTLV-1c subtype infection.

Methods: Case report.

Results: Uveitis was demonstrated in two Indigenous Australian men, both of whom had high HTLV-1c proviral loads in peripheral blood. Visual outcomes were poor in each case.

Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of HTLV-1c infection as a cause of uveitis in Australia, and HTLV-1 serology should be included in the basic uveitis work-up in HTLV-1-endemic areas.

Keywords: Central Australia; HTLV-1; Indigenous; Uveitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Blindness / diagnosis
  • Blindness / ethnology
  • Blindness / etiology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Eye Infections, Viral / complications*
  • Eye Infections, Viral / ethnology
  • Eye Infections, Viral / virology
  • HTLV-I Infections / complications*
  • HTLV-I Infections / ethnology
  • HTLV-I Infections / virology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
  • Uveitis / complications*
  • Uveitis / ethnology
  • Uveitis / virology