Sarcoidosis and HTLV-1 infection
- 1Department of Neurology, Greater Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford M6 8HD, UK
- 2Department of Immunology, Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, UK
- Correspondence to: Dr D H McKee Department of Neurology, Greater Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, UK; davidmckee490.freeserve.co.uk
- Accepted 19 January 2005
Abstract
An asymptomatic, homosexual, white man was found to have an abnormal chest x ray. A presumptive diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made, but pulmonary function tests and a transbronchial biopsy were normal. He then remained asymptomatic for 10 years until he developed a progressive spastic paraparesis. At this point, antibodies to human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) were identified in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and the diagnosis of HTLV-1 associated myelopathy was made, the history suggesting sexual exposure to HTLV-1 many years previously. HTLV-1 is associated with a spectrum of immune related disorders, including a pulmonary sarcoid-like syndrome. Infection with this chronic proinflammatory retrovirus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all immune disorders in at risk individuals.
- ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme
- CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
- HAM, human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 associated myelopathy
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- HTLV-1, human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1
- TSP, tropical spastic paraparesis
Footnotes
-
The patient gave his informed consent for this case report to be published.
