Managing acute ischaemic stroke in a small island developing state: meeting the guidelines in Barbados.

BACKGROUND: We describe hospital-based management of acute ischaemic stroke patients in 2010-2013 in Barbados, by comparing documented treatment given in the single tertiary public hospital with international guideline recommendations. METHODS: Evidence-based stroke management guidelines were identified through a systematic literature search. Comparisons were made between these guidelines and documented diagnostic practice (all strokes) and prescribed medication (ischaemic stroke only), using a combination of key informant interviews and national stroke registry data for 2010-2013. RESULTS: Several published international guidelines for the acute management of ischaemic stroke recommended patient management in a dedicated stroke unit or nearest hospital specialised in stroke care. Further, patients should receive clinical diagnosis, CT brain scan, specialist evaluation by a multidisciplinary team and, if eligible, thrombolysis with alteplase within 3-3.5 h of symptom onset. Subsequent secondary prophylaxis, with a platelet aggregation inhibitor and a statin was advised. Barbados had no stroke unit or stroke team, and no official protocol for acute stroke management during the study period. Most of the 1735 stroke patients were managed by emergency physicians at presentation; if admitted, they were managed on general medical wards. Most had a CT scan (1646; 94.9%). Of 1406 registered ischaemic stroke patients, only 6 (0.4%) had been thrombolysed, 521 (37.1%) received aspirin within 24 h of admission and 670 (47.7%) were prescribed aspirin on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Acute ischaemic stroke diagnosis was consistent with international recommendations, although this was less evident for treatment. While acknowledging the difficulty in implementing international guidelines in a low-resource setting, there is scope for improvement in acute ischaemic stroke management and/or its documentation in Barbados. A stroke unit was established in August 2013 and written clinical protocols for acute stroke care were in development at the time of the study; future registry data will evaluate their impact. Our findings have implications for other low-resource settings with high stroke burden.

Epilepsy care in the southern Caribbean.

Very little has been reported about the health resources available for patients with epilepsy in the five English-speaking southern Caribbean countries of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia. There is no comprehensive resource describing their health systems, access to specialty care, antiepileptic drug (AED) use, and availability of brain imaging and EEG. The purpose of this study was to profile epilepsy care in these countries as an initial step toward improving the standard of care and identifying gaps in care to guide future policy changes. In each southern Caribbean country, we conducted study visits and interviewed health-care providers, government health ministers, pharmacy directors, hospital medical directors, pharmacists, clinic staff, radiologists, and radiology and EEG technicians. Health-care providers completed extensive epilepsy care surveys. The five countries all have integrated government health systems with clinics and hospitals that provide free or heavily subsidized care and AEDs for patients with epilepsy. Only Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, however, have neurology specialists. The three smaller countries lack government imaging and EEG facilities. Trinidad had up to one-year waits for public MRI/EEG. Government formularies in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia are limited to first-generation AEDs. One or more second-line agents are formulary in Trinidad and Barbados. Nonformulary drugs may be obtained for individual patients in Barbados. Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines participate in an Organization of Eastern Caribbean States formulary purchasing system, which added levetiracetam following the survey. Newer generic AED formulations with the lowest risks for pregnancy malformation were not in use. In conclusion, patients with epilepsy in the southern Caribbean have excellent access to government clinics and hospitals, but AED choices are limited. Local medical providers reported that the major limitations in care were lack of specialty care, lack of imaging and EEG services, financial barriers to care, long wait times for care, and limited access to additional AEDs.

A comparison of outcome for stroke patients in Barbados and South London.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little is known about the poststroke outcome in Caribbean populations. We investigated differences in the activities of daily living, level of social activities, living circumstances and survival for stroke patients in Barbados and London. METHODS: Data were collected from the South London Stroke Register and the Barbados Register of Strokes for patients with a first-ever stroke registered between January 2001 and December 2004. The ability to perform activities of daily living was measured by the Barthel Index and level of social activities by the Frenchay Activities Index. Living circumstances were categorised into private household vs. institutional care. Death and dependency, activities of daily living and social activities were assessed at three-months, one- and two-years using logistic regression, adjusted for differences in demographic, socioeconomic and stroke severity characteristics. RESULTS: At three-months, a high level of social activities was more likely for the Barbados Register of Strokes (odds ratio 1.84; 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.29); there were no differences in activities of daily living; and Barbados Register of Strokes patients were less likely to be in institutional care (relative risk ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.79). Following adjustment, Barbados Register of Strokes patients had a higher risk of mortality at three-months (relative risk ratio 1.85; 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.30), one-year (relative risk ratio 1.83; 95% confidence interval 1.08-3.09) and two-years (relative risk ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval 1.08-3.07). This difference was due to early poststroke deaths; for patients alive at four-weeks poststroke, survival thereafter was similar in both settings. CONCLUSIONS: In Barbados, there was evidence for a healthy survivor effect, and short-term social activity was greater than that in the South London Stroke Register.

A comparison of acute and long-term management of stroke patients in Barbados and South London.

BACKGROUND: To compare health care utilisation between stroke patients living in a middle-income country with similar patients in a high-income country in terms of the type and amount of health care received following a stroke. METHODS: Data were collected from the population-based South London Stroke Register (SLSR) and the Barbados Register of Strokes (BROS) from January 2001 to December 2004. Differences in management and diagnostic procedures used in the acute phase were adjusted for age, sex, ethnic group, living conditions pre-stroke and socio-economic status by multivariable logistic regression. Comparison of subsequent management was made for 3 months and 1 year post-stroke. RESULTS: Patients in BROS were less likely to be admitted to a hospital ward (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.13-0.37), but the difference for the lower use of brain scans in BROS was smaller (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.25-1.52). Additional adjustment for stroke severity (Glasgow Coma Score) showed that BROS patients were more likely to have a swallow test on admission (OR 2.95; 95% CI 1.17-7.45). BROS patients were less likely to be in nursing care at 3 months (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.17-0.81), and less likely to be receiving speech and language therapy at 3 months (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.03-0.33) and 1 year (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.00-0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The lower use of hospital admission and nursing care at 3 months suggests that in Barbados, family and friends take greater responsibility for patient care around the time of the stroke and in the medium term thereafter.

Differences in risk factors between black Caribbean patients with stroke in Barbados and South london.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Risk of stroke is higher in black Caribbeans in the United Kingdom compared with black Caribbeans in their country of origin. We investigated if these differences were caused by variations in prior-to-stroke risk factors. SUMMARY OF REPORT: Data were collected from the South London Stroke Register (SLSR) and the Barbados Register of Strokes (BROS). Differences in prevalence and management of stroke risk factors were adjusted for age, sex, living conditions prestroke, stroke subtype, and socioeconomic status by multivariable logistic regression. Patients in BROS were on average older (mean difference 4 years) and more likely to have a nonmanual occupation. They were less likely to have a prestroke diagnosis of myocardial infarction (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.77) or diabetes (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.92) and were less likely to report smoking (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.49). They were also more likely to receive appropriate prestroke antihypertensive (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.92) and antidiabetic treatment (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.44 to 7.70) and less likely to receive cholesterol-lowering drugs (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The higher risk of stroke in black Caribbeans in the United Kingdom might be caused by a higher prevalence of major prior-to-stroke risk factors, differences in treatment patterns for comorbid conditions, and less healthy lifestyle practices compared with indigenous black Caribbean populations.

Poststroke survival for black-Caribbean populations in barbados and South london.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are variations in mortality rates for stroke in black communities, but the factors associated with survival remain unclear. METHODS: The authors studied population-based stroke registers with follow up in South London (270 participants, 1995 to 2002) and Barbados (578 participants, 2001 to 2003). Differences in sociodemographic factors, stroke risk factors and their management, case severity, and acute management between London and Barbados were studied. Survival analysis used Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model with stratification. RESULTS: There were 1411 person-years of follow-up. Patients in Barbados had poorer survival (log-rank test P=0.037), particularly those with a prestroke Barthel index scores between 15 and 20 (1-year survival, 56.4% versus 74.3%; P<0.001). This disadvantage remained significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.99; 95% CI, 1.23 to 3.21, P=0.005) after adjustment for age and year of stroke and stratification for stroke subtype and socioeconomic status (SES). After stratification by SES, clinical stroke subtype, and Glasgow Coma Score, and adjustment for other potential confounders, additional factors reducing survival were untreated atrial fibrillation (AF; HR, 8.54; 95% CI, 2.14 to 34.08, P=0.002), incontinence after stroke (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.79 to 3.89), and dysphagia (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.24). Patients not admitted to the hospital had improved survival (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.58). Interaction terms between location and Barthel score, location and AF, and location and transient ischemic attack were included in the final model to reflect the greater difference in survival with a high Barthel score of 15 or more, absence of untreated AF, and having untreated transient ischemic attack. CONCLUSIONS: Black-Caribbean people with stroke living in Barbados have worse survival than similar patients in South London, particularly if they have good mobility before the stroke. Further exploration and refinement of measurement of confounding factors such as SES and poststroke management along with exploring the cultural/environmental differences between the communities is required to understand these stark differences.

Estimation of the risk of stroke in black populations in Barbados and South London.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of stroke in black populations is a public health issue, but how risk varies between black communities is unclear. METHODS: Population-based registers in South London (SLSR) and Barbados (Barbados Register of Strokes [BROS]). Stroke incidence estimated by age group, gender and stroke subtype from January 1995 to December 2002 (SLSR), and October 2001 to September 2003 (BROS). Incidence rate ratios [IRR] estimated adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-one cases registered in SLSR and 628 cases in BROS. Average age of stroke was 66.1 years (SD 13.7) in SLSR and 71.5 years (SD 14.9) in BROS (P<0.001). The incidence rate/1000 population in SLSR was 1.61 (European adjusted; 95% CI, 1.41 to 1.81) and 1.08 (world adjusted; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.21). For Barbados incidence rates were 1.29 (European adjusted; 95% CI, 1.19 to1.39) and 0.85 (world adjusted; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.92). Overall IRR for SLSR: BROS adjusted for age and sex was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.46). Statistically significant subtype differences included total anterior cerebral infarction (IRR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.69), posterior cerebral infarction (IRR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.53), primary intracerebral hemorrhage (IRR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.35) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (IRR, 5.04; 95% CI, 2.54 to 9.97). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of stroke in black Caribbeans is higher in South London than Barbados, and particularly so for specific stroke subtypes. The risk in Barbados approaches that in the white population in South London and strokes occur at an older age. Whether environmental factors mediate these differences in migrant populations requires further study.

Incidence and case fatality rates of first-ever stroke in a black Caribbean population: the Barbados Register of Strokes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Estimation of stroke incidence among black populations outside the USA and the UK has been hampered by the lack of community-based studies. We aimed to document the incidence of first-ever stroke in Barbados, a Caribbean island with a population of 268,000 people. METHODS: A national community-based prospective register of first-ever strokes, using multiple overlapping sources of notification, was established. RESULTS: During the first year, 352 patients (95.2% black) were registered, 142 males and 210 females (59.7%), with a mean age of 72.5 years (range 24 to 104; SD 14.8). Cerebral infarction (IS) occurred in 81.8%, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in 11.9%, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 2.0%, whereas 4.3% of strokes were unclassified (UC). The crude annual incidence rate for the black population was 1.40 (95% CI: 1.25,1.55) per 1000 (1.35 standardized to the European population) for all strokes, 1.20 (1.07,1.34) for IS, 0.18 (0.12,0.23) for ICH, and 0.03 (0.01,0.05) for SAH. Lacunar infarction (LACI) accounted for 50.7% of IS among the black population, whereas 15.6% and 26.8% were caused by total anterior circulation infarction (TACI) and partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI), respectively. At 7 and 28 days, respectively, case fatality rates for blacks were 13.1% and 27.8% for all strokes, 46.3% and 58.5% for ICH, 7.6% and 21.7% for IS, 32.6% and 65.1% for TACI, and 2.1% and 9.0% for LACI. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke incidence among the black population of Barbados is lower than among African-origin populations in the USA and UK. Lacunar infarction is the predominant stroke subtype.

Management of juvenile/adult-onset myasthenia gravis at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados

This paper is retrospective study of the management of myasthenia gravis (MG) in Barbados. The clinical experience, including an analysis of the role of thymectomy in the management of its disease, has been reviewed. Of 41 patients who were diagnosed as having MG six were excluded because of the onset below the age of twelve. Of the 35 patients studied, 15 had severe disease (Classes III-V) and 10 of these severely affected patients underwent thymectomy, the majority (70 percent) by the trans-cervical route. Follow up was available on all of the patients undergoing thymectomy and 15 of the patients on medical therapy (Classes II-V). Patients undergoing trans-cervical thymectomy had a better overall response than those treated medically, as measured by being able to get off drugs completely or being asymptomatic on a reduced drug dosage. Two of the patients had thymomas, on benign and the other malignant. The patient with the benign thymoma is asymptomatic but still on drugs and the other patient is still in the postoperative phase. It is concluded that in severe cases trans-cervical thymectomy produces a better overall response than medical treatment alone, and carries significantly less morbidity than the transternal approach in non-thymomatous cases.(AU)

Neurological and neurosurgical referrals overseas from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, 1987-1996

This paper reports on neurological and neurosurgical referrals overseas from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for the period November 1987 to November 1996, and is a follow up to an earlier report for the period January 1984 to November 1987. It outlines the pattern of referral, diagnoses, referral centres and costs based on examination of the files of all QEH patients transferred overseas under a government aided scheme. There were 203 transfers of 191 patients (69 males, 122 females) including 10 patients who were transferred twice and one patient who was transferred three times. Patients ages ranged from 1 to 80 years (mean 37 years). Twenty overseas centres were used during the period but most patients were transferred to Brooklyn Hospital, New York in 1988, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, between 1989 and 1994, and Hospital de Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela (1992 to 1996). 65 percent of the referrals were for neurosurgery and 25 percent were for magnetic resonance imaging scans for diagnosis. The largest diagnostic categories were central nervous system tumors (40 percent) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (25 percent). Estimated costs reached almost BDS$11 million, but the mean actual cost was BDS$63,916 based on information from 123 patient transfers. Thus, the actual total government expenditure was probably closer to BDS$13 million. This study demonstrates the urgent need to establish a neurosurgical service at the QEH and the cost effectiveness of doing so.(AU)

Management of juvenile/adult-onset myasthenia gravis at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados

This retrospective study of the management of Myasthenia gravis(MG) in Barbados reviews clinical experience including an analysis of the role of thymectomy. pf 41 patients who were diagnosed as having MG six were excluded because of the onset below the age of twelve. Of the 35 patients studied, 15 had severe disease (Class III-V) and 10 of these severely affected patients underwent thymectomy, the majority (70 percent) by the trans-cervical route. Follow up was available on all of the patients undergoing thymectomy and 15 of the patients on medical therapy (Classes II-V). Patients undergoing trans-cervical thymectomy had a better overall response than those treated medically particularly in being able to get off drugs completely or being asymptomatic on a reduced drug dosage. Two of the patients had thymomas, one benign and the other malignant. The patient with the benign thymoma is asymptomatic but still on drugs and the other patient is still in the postoperative phase. It is concluded that in severe cases trans-cervical thymectomy produces a better overall response than medical treatment alone, and carries significantly less morbidity than the trans-sternal approach in non thymomatous cases. (AU)

Management of juvenile/adult-onset myasthenia gravis at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados

This retrospective study of the management of Myasthenia gravis(MG) in Barbados reviews clinical experience including an analysis of the role of thymectomy. pf 41 patients who were diagnosed as having MG six were excluded because of the onset below the age of twelve. Of the 35 patients studied, 15 had severe disease (Class III-V) and 10 of these severely affected patients underwent thymectomy, the majority (70 percent) by the trans-cervical route. Follow up was available on all of the patients undergoing thymectomy and 15 of the patients on medical therapy (Classes II-V). Patients undergoing trans-cervical thymectomy had a better overall response than those treated medically particularly in being able to get off drugs completely or being asymptomatic on a reduced drug dosage. Two of the patients had thymomas, one benign and the other malignant. The patient with the benign thymoma is asymptomatic but still on drugs and the other patient is still in the postoperative phase. It is concluded that in severe cases trans-cervical thymectomy produces a better overall response than medical treatment alone, and carries significantly less morbidity than the trans-sternal approach in non thymomatous cases.

Neurological/neurosurgical referrals overseas from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, 1987 - 1996

In 1988, we reported on the neurological/neurosurgical referrals overseas in the period January 1984 to November 1987. The present study is a follow-up of the previous one and reviews overseas referrals over a 9 years period from November 1987 to November 1996. The pattern of referral, diagnoses, referral centres and costs were studied. All Queen Elizabeth Hospital patients transferred overseas between November 1987 and November 1996 under a government-aided scheme for neurological investigation or neurosurgical treatment were include. The Department of Social Services files were reviewed. No patients were transferred in November and December 1987 but 203 patient-transfers were arranged for neurological investigation and/or treatment overseas between January 1988 and November 1996. This includes 10 patients who were transferred twice and one patient three times. 191 patients, 69 males and 122 females, were included, with ages ranging from 1 to 80 (mean 37) years. Most patients were referred to Brooklyn Hospital, New York in 1988, Mount Sinai Medical Center (1989 - 94), and Hospital de Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela (1992 - 96). Twenty overseas centres were used during the study period. Sixty-five percent were referred for neurological management while 48 (25 percent) had MRI scans for diagnosis. The largest diagnostic category was central nervous system tumours (40 percent) followed by subarachnoid haemorrhage (25 percent). Through the government-aided scheme more than ten million BDS dollars were pledged during the study period. Actual costs were determined in only 38 percent of cases but there was a suggestion that the mean actual cost per patient of overseas neurosurgical management and investigation had shown little change over the nine years of the study, remaining at about Bds. $60,000.00(AU)

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection in Barbados: results of a 20-year follow-up study

Forty-one human T-cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-1)-seropositive individuals were identified among 1,012 subjects with stored serum samples from a health and seroepidemiological survey conducted in Barbados in 1972. These 41 subjects plus 79 HTLV-1 seronegative household members were targeted in a follow-up study 20 years later. Sixteen seropositive subjects and 22 seronegative subjects were interviewed, examined, and phlebotomized. There were no changes in HTLV-1 serostatus between the 1972 and follow-up serum samples. Three (19 percent) of the seropositive subjects had HTLV-1 serostatus between the 1972 and follow-up serum samples. Three (19 percent) of the seropositive subjects had HTLV-1-associated disorders: two with dermatitis and one with <

Anterior horn cell degeneration in polymyositis associated with human T lymphotropic virus Type-1 in patients from Barbados

Anterior horn cell degeneration has only ocassionally been noted in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis associated with human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection. We report on three adult patients with HTLV-1-associated polymyositis who had clinical evidence of anterior horn cell degeneration. One patient had moderate proximal weakness and muscle wasting in all four limbs, while two had mild upper limb weakness with more profound proximal weakness and wasting in the lower limbs. In all three patients, elctromyographic findings were compatible with motor unit loss and muscle biopsies showed mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration; muscle cell biopsies in two patients showed features of denervation. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to HTLV-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by Western immunoblot in serum and cerobrospinal fluid in all three patients. In two, cell cultures were established from peripheral blood lymphocytes and HTLV-1 antigen was identified by immunofluorescence and the ELISA antigen-capture technique using an anti-p19 HTLV-1 mouse monoclonal antibody. The three cases illustrate the variety of neuromuscular disease, other than spastic paraparesis, that may occur in HTLV-1 infection. In some cases of HTLV-1-associated polymyositis, anterior horn cell degeneration may make a significant contribution to the muscle atrophy observed. (AU)

Clinical and laboratory features of adult T-cell leukaemia lymphoma in Barbados

We describe the clinical and pathological features of 23 Afro-Caribbean patients with adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados over a 5 year period. There were 9 males and 14 females, with a median age of 38 years (range 14-84). Twelve had acute leukaemia, 10 lymphoma (including 4 with solitary extra nodal lesions) and 1 smouldering subtype. Two patients had a past history of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV I associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). The prognosis was poor, with only 3 complete responses to chemotherapy (CHOP) lasting from 9 to 36 months. We conclude that ATLL in Barbados is similar to the disease in other Caribbean islands and Japan, except that in Barbados the age of onset is over a decade younger than in Japan.(AU)

Clinical and laboratory features of adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma in Barbados

We describe the clinical and pathological features of 23 Afro-Caribbean patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados over a 5 year period. There were 9 males and 14 females, with a median age of 38 years (range 14-84). Twelve had acute leukemia, 10 lymphoma (including 4 with solitary extra nodal lesions) and 1 smouldering subtype. Two patients had a past history of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV I associated myelopathy (TSM/HAM). The prognosis was poor, with only 3 complete responses to chemotherapy (CHOP) lasting from 9 to 36 months. We conclude that ATLL in Barbados is similar to the disease in the other Caribbean islands and Japan, except that in Barbados the age of onset is over a decade younger than in Japan.(AU)

Anterior horn cell degeneration in HTLV-1 associated polymyositis in patients from Barbados - abstract

Anterior horn cell degeneration has only been noted occasionally in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection (HTLV-I). We report on three adult patients with HTLV-I associated polymyositis who had evidence of anterior horn cell degeneration. One patient had moderate proximal weakness in all 4 limbs, while 2 had mild upper limb weakness and profound proximal weakness in the lower limbs. Electromyographic findings indicated motor unit loss. Muscle biopsies in 2 patients showed features of denervation, as well as mono-nuclear inflammatory cell infiltration. HTLV-1 IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and confirmed by Western-immunoblot, in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in all 3 patients. In two, cell cultures were established from peripheral blood lymphocytes and HTLV-1 antigen was identified by immunofluorescence and the ELISA antigen capture technique, using an anti-p 19 HTLV-1 mouse monoclonal antibody. These 3 cases illustrate the variety of neuromuscular disease, other than spastic paraparesis, that may occur in HTLV-1 infection. Anterior horn cell degeneration may coexist with HTLV-1 associated polymyositis and may make a significant contribution to the muscle atrophy observed in these cases (AU)

HTLV-I infections in Barbados: results of a 20-year follow-up study - abstract

Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I(HTLV-1) infection is known to be associated with adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL), tropical spastic paraparesis, polymyositis, arthritis, alveolitis, uveitis, and infective dermatitis. Examination of stored sera from Barbados previously identified 41 HTLV-1 seropositives among 1012 participants in a 1972 survey. We have followed up this cohort: (1) to determine the long-term persistence of antibody, (2) to ascertain the risk of seroconbersion in household contacts, and (3) to identify long-term clinical sequelae of HTLV-1 infection. There were 79 HTLV-1 seronegative household contacts from 1972. Subjects were seen without knowledge of their serostatus and those who could be traced completed a questionnaire, had a clinical examination, serological, skin and stool tests. All 16 of the initially identified HTLV-1 seropositive sujects, whowere studied, remained seropositive and all 22 of the identified seronegative household contacts remained uninfected. Of the 22 household contacts, 10 were children of HTLV-1 seropositive mothers. In conclusion, we have confirmed persistence of HTLV-1 infection over 20 years' follow-up. There was no evidence of household transmission or of occult infection with late antibody expression in this study. Many HLTV-I infections are asymptomatic but we identified HLTV-I-associated clinical disorders in 4 cases: chronic dermatitis (2), hepatosplenomegaly (1), and hepatomegaly alone (1); the latter subject also had smouldering ATL (AU)

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I DNA in spinal cord of tropical spastic paraparesis with concomitant human T-lymphotropic virus type I negative Hodgkin's disease

We studied a 58 year old black women from Barbados who simultaneously developed myelopathy and lymphoma with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and died 3 years after onset. Neuropathological examination showed typical tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated defective proviral genome retaining the HTLV-I pX and env regions in thoracic spinal cord, the level most severely affected. Defective HTLV-I in the nervous system retaining the pX region may be relevant to pathogenesis because circulating CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes specific for HTLV-I pX occur in HTLV-I myelopathy. This patient's lymph node biopsy specimen was consistent with Hodgkin's disease (HD), nodular sclerosis subtype, of B-cell origin. The PCR in the paraffin-embedded lymph node involved by HD failed to amplify HTLV-I proviral sequences. Complete HTLV-I proviral amplification was obtained in paraffin-embedded lymph node form positive controls (adults T-cells leukemia). To our knowledge the association of TSP and HD has not been reported previously. Despite claims the HD may be associated with HTLV-I, we demonstrated absence of HTLV-I infected T-cell in the lymphoid infiltrate of HD in this case, positive HTLV-I serology notwithstanding.(AU)