Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 neurologic disease

The Link between Cannabis Use, Immune System, and Viral Infections

Cannabis continues to be the most used drug in the world today. Research shows that cannabis use is associated with a wide range of adverse health consequences that may involve almost every physiological and biochemical system including respiratory/pulmonary complications such as chronic cough and emphysema, impairment of immune function, and increased risk of acquiring or transmitting viral infections such as HIV, HCV, and others. The review of published research shows that cannabis use may impair immune function in many instances and thereby exerts an impact on viral infections including human immune deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C infection (HCV), and human T-cell lymphotropic type I and II virus (HTLV-I/II). The need for more research is also highlighted in the areas of long-term effects of cannabis use on pulmonary/respiratory diseases, immune dysfunction and the risk of infection transmission, and the molecular/genetic basis of immune dysfunction in chronic cannabis users.

Hormonal and Psychogenic Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in Men with HTLV-1

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with neurological damage due to human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection, but hormonal and psychogenic factors also cause ED.

AIM

To evaluate the association of psychogenic and hormonal factors with ED in men infected with HTLV-1.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we compared total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and neurologic manifestations in HTLV-1-infected men with or without ED. The International Index of Erectile Function was used to determine the degree of ED. Participants were grouped according to Osame's Motor Disability Scale and the Expanded Disability Status Scale: HTLV-1-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), probable HAM/TSP, or HTLV-1 carrier. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the groups, and regression analyses were used to show predictors of ED.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Sexual hormonal levels, psychogenic factors, and neurologic disabilities were found to be associated with ED.

RESULTS

ED was associated with age older than 60 years (P < .001), degree of neurologic involvement (P < .001), depression (P = .009), and anxiety (P = .008). In the multivariate analyses, only age and degree of neurological injury remained as risk factors for ED.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Neurological manifestations are a stronger predictor of ED than hormonal and psychogenic factors in HTLV-1-infected men.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The statistical power of the study was limited due to the low number of participants, but neurologic manifestations were clearly associated with ED. There was no strong association between hormonal and psychogenic factors and ED.

CONCLUSION

Hormonal and psychogenic factors did not show a strong association with ED in individuals with HTLV-1, but neurological manifestations were strongly associated with ED in these individuals. de Oliveira CJV, Neto, JAC, Andrade RCP, et al. Hormonal and Psychogenic Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in Men with HTLV-1. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1763-1768.

Effectiveness of Daily Prednisolone to Slow Progression of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Millions of people are infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) worldwide; notable endemic areas include Brazil, the Caribbean islands, Iran, and Japan. A small number of those infected develop the progressive neurodegenerative disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), also known as tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), which is characterized by chronic spinal cord inflammation and accompanying myelopathic symptoms. The corticosteroid prednisolone (PSL) is a classic treatment for HAM/TSP, yet its effectiveness remains controversial owing to insufficient and conflicting studies. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study using data collected by physicians monitoring patients with HAM/TSP at 7 hospitals throughout Japan. The Osame Motor Disability Score (OMDS) was used to evaluate 57 patients treated with low-dose PSL (mean 4.8 mg/day) versus 29 untreated patients. Roughly half of the evaluations spanned < 3 years (Short-Term) and half > 3 years (Long-Term), with a mean of 3.4 years. While the OMDS of most untreated patients remained unchanged in the Short-Term (87%) and worsened in the Long-Term (79%), most treated patients improved in the Short-Term (52%) and remained unchanged or improved in the Long-Term (68%). Overall, the mean change in OMDS per year was -0.13 in the Steroids group and +0.12 in the Untreated group (p < 0.01). This study addressed the effectiveness of PSL for HAM/TSP in 3 novel ways: 1) continuous low-dose administration; 2) comparison with an untreated group; and 3) Long-Term evaluation. These findings provide robust evidence supporting PSL maintenance therapy for HAM/TSP.

Acute myelitis as presenting symptom of HIV-HTLV-1 co-infection

A 21-year-old woman presented with acute-onset spastic paraparesis. The MRI spinal scan revealed a contrast-enhanced T2 hyperintensity between C5-T2. The most common neurotropic pathogens were excluded by first level tests. Under suspicion of an acute immune-mediated myelitis, a corticosteroid therapy was administered. However, a seropositivity for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) subsequently emerged. An antiretroviral therapy was started while steroids discontinued. Patient's clinical conditions remained unchanged. HIV-HTLV-1 co-infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of any acute myelitis, even in patients with a preserved immune status and no risk factors.

Nation-wide epidemiological study of Japanese patients with rare viral myelopathy using novel registration system (HAM-net)

Background

At least one million people are infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in Japan, a small percentage of whom develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) or adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Patients with HAM/TSP suffer from progressively worsening myelopathic symptoms, such as motor disability and bladder dysfunction, and may become wheelchair-bound or even bedridden.

Methods

To learn more about this rare, debilitating disease, we established the national registration system “HAM-net” in March 2012. We continuously obtain detailed data from enrolled patients using the registration forms and an annual telephone interview. In this retrospective study, we describe the demographics and clinical histories of 383 registered patients from all over Japan.

Results

Patients were diagnosed at a median of 53 years old, long after disease onset at 45. Most (55.3 %) were originally from the southernmost regions, Kyushu and Okinawa. The main initial symptoms were difficulty walking (81.9 %), urinary dysfunction (38.5 %), and lower limb sensory disturbances (13.9 %). Many patients reported frequent leg numbness and leg pain, and the vast majority required medical intervention for urinary symptoms and constipation. A median of 8 years elapsed from the onset of motor symptoms to Osame Motor Disability Score (OMDS) 5 (requiring unilateral support), 12.5 years to OMDS 6 (requiring bilateral support), and 18 years to OMDS 9 (unable to walk). Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) tasks related to mobility, as opposed to hand motions, were very difficult for HAM/TSP patients and well-correlated with OMDS. Scores on the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) indicated that physical functioning was severely impaired in HAM/TSP patients. Patients with a history of blood transfusion (19.1 %) were older and suffered from more severe disability as indicated by their high HAQ-DI scores. Patients with a family history of HAM/TSP (8.4 %) were younger and had relatively mild symptoms given their long disease durations; many (15.6 %) also had a relative with ATLL.

Conclusions

The HAM-net national registration system has been an effective tool for gathering personal and clinical data from HAM/TSP patients scattered throughout Japan. We expect to conduct many retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies using HAM-net in the future.

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a progressive disease of the CNS that causes weakness or paralysis of the legs, lower back pain and urinary symptoms. HAM/TSP was first described in Jamaica in the nineteenth century, but the aetiology of the condition, infection with the retrovirus HTLV-1, was only identified in the 1980s. HAM/TSP causes chronic disability and, accordingly, imposes a substantial health burden in areas where HTLV-1 infection is endemic. Since the discovery of the cause of HAM/TSP, considerable advances have been made in the understanding of the virology, immunology, cell biology and pathology of HTLV-1 infection and its associated diseases. However, progress has been limited by the lack of accurate animal models of the disease. Moreover, the treatment of HAM/TSP remains highly unsatisfactory: antiretroviral drugs have little impact on the infection and, although potential disease-modifying therapies are widely used, their value is unproved. At present, clinical management is focused on symptomatic treatment and counselling. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of HAM/TSP and identify areas in which further research is needed. For an illustrated summary of this Primer, visit: http://go.nature.com/tjZCFM.

Update on Neurological Manifestations of HTLV-1 Infection

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that infects 10-20 million persons around the world. Initially associated with the hematological malignancy adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV-1 is also the cause of a chronic progressive myelopathy named "HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis" (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP arises as the tip of the iceberg of an assortment of neurological syndromes triggered by the virus such as inflammatory myopathies, polyneuropathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndromes, dysautonomia, and cognitive impairment. HAM/TSP typifies a chronic progressive spastic paraparesis with neurogenic bladder and minimal sensory signs. The neuropathology of HAM/TSP is concentrated in the thoracic spinal cord and is typically biphasic. Initially, there is a perivascular lymphocytic cuffing and mild parenchymal mononuclear infiltrates. Subsequently, this is replaced by gliosis and scarring. The neuropathogenesis of HTLV-1 is still partially understood. At present, the therapy of HAM/TSP remains basically symptomatic.

A Caucasian Australian presenting with human T-lymphotropic virus type I associated myelopathy: a case report

Introduction

We report the first known case of human T-lymphotropic virus type I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in an Australian Caucasian, a disease reported in Aboriginal and immigrant populations where the virus is often endemic.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old Caucasian Australian man had a 3-year background of progressive functional decline from a myelopathy with spastic paraparesis and sphincteric dysfunction.

Conclusions

Although studies have shown a very low prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I in the greater Australian population, increased focus on Aboriginal health, and the expanding diversity and integration of the Australian population means that presentation of human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated disease is likely to increase.

Immunopathogenesis and neurological manifestations associated to HTLV-1 infection

The human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) was the first human retrovirus identified. The virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, sharing of contaminated needles or syringes and from mother to child, mainly through breastfeeding. In addition to the well-known association between HTLV-1 and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), several diseases and neurologic manifestations have been associated with the virus. This review was conducted through a PubMed search of the terms HTLV-1, immune response and neurological diseases. Emphasis was given to the most recent data regarding pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of HTLV-1 infection. The aim of the review is to analyze the immune response and the variety of neurological manifestations associated to HTLV-1 infection. A total of 102 articles were reviewed. The literature shows that a large percentage of HTLV-1 infected individuals have others neurological symptoms than HAM/TSP. Increased understanding of these numerous others clinical manifestations associated to the virus than adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HAM/TSP has challenged the view that HTLV-1 is a low morbidity infection.

[HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: a differential diagnosis in multiple sclerosis]

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a neurological disease caused by infection with HTLV-1. The disorder is very rare in Europe but endemic in many parts of the world. The pathogenesis is not clearly characterized but is based on a possibly immune-mediated injury of the cervicothoracic spinal cord. Clinically, HAM/TSP constitutes a slowly progressive spastic paraparesis associated with bladder dysfunction and often mimics the course of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. The diagnosis is based on typical symptoms as well as detection of HTLV-1 specific antibodies and proviral HTLV-1 DNA or HTLV-1 RNA. The therapy is limited to symptomatic treatment. Transmission of HTLV-1 can occur vertically by breast feeding, through sexual contact or via infected blood products. Based on a clinical case report, we present here a current review on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of HAM/TSP.