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Tropical spastic paraparesis in an aborigine
N Rajabalendaran1, R Burns, L C Mollison
1Department of Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, NT.
Objective:
To present the first documented case of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in the Australian population.
Clinical Features:
A 31-year-old Aboriginal man with an 18-month history of progressive weakness of the legs was found to have an upper motor neurone weakness of all limbs associated with sphincteric disturbance and impotence. HTLV-I antibodies were detected in his serum and no other cause for the patient's myelopathy could be found.
Intervention And Outcome:
He was counselled regarding HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
Conclusion:
This is the first description of HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in an Australian. In cases of spinal cord disorder without evidence of compression we recommend serological testing for HTLV-I, especially in Aboriginal patients. Additionally, testing of blood donors for this retrovirus needs consideration.