J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1990 Dec;8(2):378-383.

A case of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I Associated Myelopathy (HAM)

• Park JH
• Park SC
• Suk SH
• Kim WJ
• Chung JW
• Lee BI

Abstract

Since Gessain et al.(l985) first reported the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I virus in the sera of patients with tropical spastic paraparesis(TSP), Osame et al.(l986) in Japan have reported a new entity of HTLV-I associated myelopathy(HAM) characterized by chronic progressive spastic paraparesis. Subsequent Japanese nationwide survey revealed that there were approxirnately 600 HAM patients, especially in the endemic area, Kyushu(Osame et al, 1990a). Despite a large number of patients existing in Japan and presumed viral etioiogy of HAM, none have been previously reported in Korea. Here we report a Korean male presented with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, who was interestingly a husband of Japariese Korean lived in Kyushu, Japan. Investigations in this patient revealed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-1 both in the serum and CSF. Western blot assay also confirmed the diagnosis of HAM. Examination of the patient's wife who was asymptomatic showed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-I in the serum but not in the CSF. It seemed likely that the patient was infected from his wife who was a carrier of HTLV-1.

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Blotting, Western
Diagnosis
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
Humans*
Japan
Korea
Male
Muscle Spasticity
Paraparesis, Spastic
Spinal Cord Diseases*
Spouses
Antibodies