Abstract
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.
Highlights
The human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) was the first human retrovirus identified[1]
The two major diseases associated to the virus infection are adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)[5]
We examined 398 articles from journals indexed in PubMed
Summary
The human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) was the first human retrovirus identified[1]. The two major diseases associated to the virus infection are adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)[5]. T-reg cell dysfunction coupled to lower production of regulatory cytokines prevents the immune system from down modulating lymphocyte activity in HTLV1 infection This impairment results in the secretion of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators damaging the spinal cord. In immunological studies in HTLV-1 infected patients with urinary manifestations of overactive bladder (OAB), immunological parameters were similar to those observed in patients with HAM/ These data indicate that HTLV-1 infected IFN-γ production patients with urinary manifestations of OAB Ability of IL-10 decreases T cell response have proviral load and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines similar to that observed in HAM/ TSP and higher levels than HTLV-1 carriers. Those patients do not present with HAM/TSP and response to treatment is poor[99,100]
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