Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) Proviral Load in Asymptomatic Carriers, HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, and Other Neurological Abnormalities Associated with HTLV-1 Infection

Abstract

Recent reports have demonstrated that human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with other neurological abnormalities in addition to HTLV-1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). It has been well established that high HTLV-1 proviral loads are associated with the development of HAM/TSP. We now demonstrate, for the first time, to our knowledge, that HTLV-1 proviral loads in patients with other neurological abnormalities are also significantly higher than in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers.