A case of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I Associated Myelopathy (HAM).
- Author:
Jae Hyeon PARK
1
;
Soo Chul PARK
;
Seung Han SUK
;
Won Joo KIM
;
Jae Woo CHUNG
;
Byung In LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Yonsei University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Antibodies;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Blotting, Western;
Diagnosis;
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1;
Humans*;
Japan;
Korea;
Male;
Muscle Spasticity;
Paraparesis, Spastic;
Spinal Cord Diseases*;
Spouses
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1990;8(2):378-383
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Since Gessain et al.(l985) first reported the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I virus in the sera of patients with tropical spastic paraparesis(TSP), Osame et al.(l986) in Japan have reported a new entity of HTLV-I associated myelopathy(HAM) characterized by chronic progressive spastic paraparesis. Subsequent Japanese nationwide survey revealed that there were approxirnately 600 HAM patients, especially in the endemic area, Kyushu(Osame et al, 1990a). Despite a large number of patients existing in Japan and presumed viral etioiogy of HAM, none have been previously reported in Korea. Here we report a Korean male presented with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, who was interestingly a husband of Japariese Korean lived in Kyushu, Japan. Investigations in this patient revealed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-1 both in the serum and CSF. Western blot assay also confirmed the diagnosis of HAM. Examination of the patient's wife who was asymptomatic showed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-I in the serum but not in the CSF. It seemed likely that the patient was infected from his wife who was a carrier of HTLV-1.
