II. Epidemiology
- Worldwide Prevalence: 5-10 Million
- Primarily found in Caribbean islands and Japan
III. Pathophysiology
- Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a Retrovirus similar to HIV
- Results in life-long infection characterized by Immunosuppression and multi-system disease
- HTLV-1 was the first identified Retrovirus in humans (initially discovered in T Cell Leukemia patients)
- Transmission
- Breast Feeding (20-30% transmission rates)
- Sexual contact
- Bloodborne (needle sharing, contaminated Blood Transfusion)
IV. Findings
- Asymptomatic in >90% of patients
- Common presentations
- Uveitis
- Dermatitis
- Pneumonitis
V. Labs: Diagnosis
- HTLV1 Antibody via enzyme-linked immunoassay
- Requires second confirmatory test (e.g. Western Blot, PCR)
VI. Complications
- Adult T-cell Leukemia or Lymphoma
- Opportunistic Infections
- Progressive neurologic disorders (HAM or TSP)
- Two condition names for the same disorder
- HTLV-1 associated Myelopathy (HAM, 5% lifetime Prevalence in HTLV1 infection)
- Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP, 2% lifetime Prevalence in HTLV1 infection)
- Findings
- Two condition names for the same disorder
VII. Management
- No current specific treatment is available
- Symptomatic management
- Corticosteroids, immunomodulators and chemotherapeutic agents are used