Acupuncture in the treatment of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic Paraparesis.

We investigate the possible effects of acupuncture on the improvement of neurological problems in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)disease. Twenty patients with HAM/TSP were studied in this pre and post-test clinical trial. Urinary incontinence, global motor disability, spasticity, and pain severity were evaluated before, one month, and three-month after the intervention. Analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of urinary symptoms one month after acupuncture (P = 0.023). A significant improvement was observed in patients' pain and the spasticity at the upper extremity joints, one and three-month after the intervention (P < 0.05). This study suggests that body acupuncture can be used as a complementary treatment to improve HAM/TSP neurological symptoms.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and cellular immune response in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP is an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord and clinically characterized by progressive spastic paraparesis, urinary incontinence, and mild sensory disturbance. The interaction between the host immune response and HTLV-1-infected cells regulates the development of HAM/TSP. HTLV-1 preferentially infects CD4+ T cells and is maintained by proliferation of the infected T cells. HTLV-1-infected cells rarely express viral antigens in vivo; however, they easily express the antigens after short-term culture. Therefore, such virus-expressing cells may lead to activation and expansion of antigen-specific T cell responses. Infected T cells with HTLV-1 and HTLV-1-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes invade the central nervous system and produce various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, leading to neuronal damage and degeneration. Therefore, cellular immune responses to HTLV-1 have been considered to play important roles in disease development of HAM/TSP. Recent studies have clarified the viral strategy for persistence in the host through genetic and epigenetic changes by HTLV-1 and host immune responses including T cell function and differentiation. Newly developed animal models could provide the opportunity to uncover the precise pathogenesis and development of clinically effective treatment. Several molecular target drugs are undergoing clinical trials with promising efficacy. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the immunopathogenesis of HAM/TSP and discuss the perspectives of the research on this disease.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient without apparent immunosuppression.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral demyelinating disease due to the reactivation of the JC virus (JCV), which usually occurs in the context of immunosuppression in HIV infection, malignancy, or in patients on disease modifying therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease. Notably, there is growing recognition that PML can occur in patients with transient immune dysfunction. Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old man without history of immunosuppression or evidence of ICL who was diagnosed with PML on brain biopsy. We will discuss the potential etiologies of mild and transient immunosuppression that can lead to PML with non-apparent immunosuppression.

Dengue Fever Presenting with Cervicodorsal Acute Spinal Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma-Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Neurologic complications are increasingly being reported in dengue epidemics. Intraspinal hematomas are rare, and those associated with dengue fever are still rarer with only 1 being reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of dengue fever presenting with acute-onset quadriparesis (upper limbs Medical Research Council [MRC] 4/5 and lower limbs 0/5) and urinary incontinence. The patient was radiologically diagnosed with cervicodorsal acute to subacute anterior epidural hematoma. On the basis of clinical and radiologic evaluations, the patient underwent an anterior cervical approach via a split-manubriotomy, C6-D4 right anterolateral partial oblique corpectomies for evacuation of the hematoma. Intraoperatively, however, there was no evidence of anterior epidural collection and the dura revealed a bluish hue. A durotomy revealed a subdural hematoma. After evacuation of the hematoma, the patient remained paraplegic and her upper limb power worsened by MRC 1 grade. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed good evacuation and no new bleed; however, the intramedullary T2-weighted signal hyperintensities extending up to C2 persisted. She was on ventilatory support for almost 5 months. For diaphragmatic incapacity she underwent bilateral cervical phrenic nerve stimulation (diaphragmatic pacing). Despite initial improvement, she succumbed to multiple underlying comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Acute spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is extremely rare but should be kept in mind in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever. The radiologic findings could be deceptive and plain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as complementary studies to establish the diagnosis of acute spontaneous SSDH. The outcomes of SSDH are guarded, and elaborate patient counseling should be done preoperatively, keeping these in perspective.

Impact of HTLV-I in quality of life and urogynecologic parameters of women with urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of urinary incontinence in quality of life, epidemiological data, symptoms, findings of gynecological/neurological examination and urodynamic of HTLV-I seropositive women compared with HTLV-I negative women. STUDY DESIGN: 43 incontinent women were divided in two groups: 24 seropositives and 19 seronegatives for HTLV-I. We used King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), standardized recorded data and urodynamics. Data were compared using Mann-Whitney test or Chi-squared test. RESULTS: Quality of life was significantly worse in seropositive incontinent women in the following parameters: general perception of health, impact of incontinence, limitation of daily life activities, social relations, sleep and disposition. Also, the following gynecological/neurological symptoms were more prevalent in seropositives: pain on vesical filling, dyspareunia, parestesis in inferior members, increased perineal sensitivity, pain in vaginal palpation, increased vaginal tonus, gait alteration, increased patellar reflex, Babinski reflex positive and increased tonus in inferior members. CONCLUSION: Poor quality of life and physical abnormalities were identified in incontinent HTLV-I seropositive women when compared with incontinent HTLV-I seronegative women.