Impact of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV I/II) Diagnosis on the Frequency of Mood Disorders in a Non-Endemic Area

Sergio Monteiro De Almeida

doi:10.23937/2469-567x/1510012

Abstract

Chronic diseases cause different impact to different people. We performed this study to evaluate the impact of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV I/II) diagnosis on the frequency of mood disorders. Of six HTLV I/II infected patients, including one asymptomatic, four reported depression at the moment of HTLV diagnosis. The findings reveal that it is crucial to inform patients of the HTLV diagnosis only after conducting confirmatory tests, as indicated by majority of diagnosis protocols. Usually countries with limited resources and a high prevalence of HTLV I/II infections do not perform confirmatory tests, including Brazil. Psychiatric manifestations and major depression in patients with HTLV I/II need further study. Although a small series, the findings reveal that it is crucial to inform patients of the diagnosis only after conducting confirmatory tests as indicated by majority of diagnosis protocols. Usually countries with limited resources and a high prevalence of HTLV I/II infections do not perform confirmatory tests. The authors reinforce the importance of the handling of the emotional response of the patience to the diagnosis.

Highlights

Chronic diseases cause different impact to different people
The most important neurologic disease caused by HTLVI/II is HTLV-I-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP)
Five with HAM/TSP and one asymptomatic HTLV-I infected participant from the neuroinfection outpatient clinic of HCUFPR, Paraná, Brazil were evaluated by a multiprofessional group

Summary

Introduction

Chronic diseases cause different impact to different people. When someone is diagnosed with a certain disease, the experience becomes personal, which determines the emotional response. The most important neurologic disease caused by HTLVI/II is HTLV-I-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The donors are referred to a health service center for confirmatory diagnostic tests like enzyme-linked (Elisa), Quimioluminescence (QMIA) or western blot analysis [1]. The infection diagnosis is very stressful for the patient, the patient is informed of the likelihood of serious disease (HAM/TSP or Adult T lymphotropic leukemia). Another aggravating issue is when the viral pathology cannot be ascertained by health professionals and is not common in other patients [2]. This report aimed to evaluate the impact of HTLV-I/II diagnosis in causing mood disorders in a non-endemic area. The ratio of asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers to patients with symptomatic HAM/TSP is approximately 2,000-3,000:1 [4]

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