The Peripheral Nervous System Complications of HTLV-1 Myelopathy (HAM/TSP) Syndromes

Paul Grindstaff; Gregory Gruener

doi:10.1055/s-2005-917668

Seminars in Neurology, Table of Contents

Semin Neurol 2005; 25(3): 315-327
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-917668

The Peripheral Nervous System Complications of HTLV-1 Myelopathy (HAM/TSP) Syndromes

Paul Grindstaff¹ , Gregory Gruener²

¹Resident in Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurodiagnostic Studies, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois
²Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurodiagnostic Studies, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) is a human retrovirus and the etiologic agent for a progressive neurological disease called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). With its primary site of involvement occurring at the thoracic spinal cord level, HAM/TSP is characterized by muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, lower extremity spasticity, and urinary disturbance. However, HAM/TSP has also been associated with other autoimmune disorders as well as widespread dysfunction within the nervous system that results in less frequent symptoms of cerebral, cerebellar, and cranial nerve involvement. Although masked by the more prominent myelopathy, involvement of the peripheral nervous system also occurs. Syndromes of anterior horn cell, peripheral nerve, and muscle dysfunction have been reported.

KEYWORDS

HTLV-I infection - HAM/TSP - neuromuscular - neuropathy - myopathy

Full Text

References

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Gregory GruenerM.D. M.B.A.

Department of Neurology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine

2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60156