O 31: HTLV-1 and Inflammation

Human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that is thought to infect approximately 10-20 million people worldwide. The majority of infected individuals remain asymptomatic carriers lifelong. HTLV-1 is thought to cause both local and systemic inflammatory diseases. The most common inflammatory condition associated with HTLV-1 is HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/Tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which occur in 0.25% to 5% of infected individuals. Migration of HTLV-1 infected lymphocytes from periphery into CNS induce a strong immune response and subsequent development of HAM/TSP, which characterized by progressive spastic paraparesis, bladder dysfunction and mild sensory disturbance. HTLV-1 is also associated with other inflammatory conditions such as myositis, uveitis, dermatitis, Alveolitis/bronchiectasis, arthritis and nephritis.