Pathogenesis of diseases induced by human lymphotropic virus type 1 infection

Article Abstract:

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus known to cause adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1 myelopathy. It is found largely in southern Japan, the Caribbean, parts of Africa and parts of Central and South America. Although infection rates in these areas are high, only about 2% of those infected with HTLV-1 ever develop adult T-cell leukemia or HTLV-myelopathy. Adult T-cell leukemia has an incubation period of 20 to 30 years: the average age of onset is about 56. It is usually resistant to chemotherapy and most die within a few months. HTLV-myelopathy is a slow, progressive deterioration of the nervous system that is characterized by leg weakness and heaviness and low back pain. HTLV-1 infection has also recently been associated with a type of inflammatory arthritis. The mechanism of HTLV-1 infection is still unclear. HTLV-1 infects T-cells, a type of white blood cell, and these infected cells may directly infect cells of the central nervous system or they may activate other T-cells and cause an autoimmune reaction.

HTLV-I infections

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A six-year-old boy with a rash, meningismus, and diplegia

Article Abstract:

A six-year-old boy with paralysis of the legs, apparent irritation of the meninges, and a rash, died of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following a viral infection. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord with destruction of the sheath that coats cells. Following hospital admission, the boy developed an accelerated and inefficient heart beat which was stabilized. He also had deteriorating neurologic symptoms, such as loss of reflexes, dilated pupils, and abnormal CT scans of the brain. Eventually he lost circulation to his brain and was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed destruction of brain tissue due to poor circulation, and swelling of the brain and spinal cord. He was also found to have had varicella and cytomegalovirus infections. His arrhythmia was probably caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls the heart.

Diagnosis, Meningitis, Encephalomyelitis

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HTLV-I-induced T-cell activation

Article Abstract:

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I appears to activate T cells via two different mechanisms. T cells that are infected with the virus become activated because the virus constantly stimulates the interleukin-2 receptor. In addition, infected T cells can activate uninfected cells via cell-to-cell interactions. The uninfected cells could in turn produce interleukin-2, which could cause a generalized activation of the immune system.

Research, T cells, Cell proliferation

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