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Tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1–associated myelopathy is a slowly progressive viral immune-mediated disorder of the spinal cord caused by the human T-lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV-1). It produces spastic weakness of both legs. Diagnosis is by serologic and PCR tests of serum and CSF. Treatment includes supportive care and possibly immunosuppressive therapies.

The human T-lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV-1) retrovirus is transmitted via sexual contact, IV drug use, exposure to infected blood, or from mother to child, via breastfeeding. It is most common among prostitutes, IV drug users, hemodialysis patients, and people from endemic areas such as equatorial regions, southern Japan, and parts of South America. HTLV-2 may cause a similar disorder.

The virus resides in T cells in blood and CSF. CD4⁺ memory T cells, CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages infiltrate the perivascular areas and parenchyma of the spinal cord; astrocytosis occurs. For several years after onset of neurologic symptoms, inflammation of spinal gray and white matter progresses, causing preferential degeneration of the lateral and posterior columns. Myelin and axons in the anterior columns are also lost.

Spastic weakness develops gradually in both legs, with extensor plantar responses and bilateral symmetric loss of position and vibratory sensation in the feet. Achilles tendon reflexes are often absent. Urinary incontinence and urgency are common. Symptoms usually progress over several years.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The disorder is suggested by typical neurologic deficits that are otherwise unexplained, particularly in patients with risk factors. Serum and CSF serologic tests, PCR tests, and spinal cord MRI are indicated. If CSF-to-serum ratio of HTLV-1 antibodies is > 1 or if PCR detects HTLV-1 antigen in CSF, the diagnosis is very likely. Protein and Ig levels in CSF may also be elevated, often with oligoclonal bands; lymphocytic pleocytosis occurs in up to 50% of patients. Spinal cord lesions often appear hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI.

No treatment has proved effective, but interferon-α, IV immune globulin, and oral methylprednisolone Some Trade Names
MEDROL
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may have some benefit. Treatment of spasticity is symptomatic (eg, with baclofen Some Trade Names
LIORESAL
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or tizanidine Some Trade Names
ZANAFLEX
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).

Last full review/revision January 2007 by Michael Rubin, MD

Content last modified January 2007