HTLV-1 polymyositis

Neuromuscul Disord. 1996 May;6(3):151-4. doi: 10.1016/0960-8966(96)00008-9.

Abstract

The case is described of an HTLV-1 seropositive Jamaican woman who presented with signs and symptoms of polymyositis and myelopathy. A muscle biopsy showed features of myositis with a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, variation in fibre size and evidence of regeneration. Immunocytochemistry showed the mononuclear cells were composed of macrophages and T-lymphocytes suggesting a cell-mediated response. Multiplex PCR demonstrated the presence of the HTLV-1 tax gene within the muscle.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / immunology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / pathology*
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / physiopathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymyositis / immunology
  • Polymyositis / pathology
  • Polymyositis / virology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology