Rajabalendaran, N

Burns, R

Mollison, L C

Blessing, W

Kirubakaran, M G

Lindschau, P

1993-07-05

To present the first documented case of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in the Australian population. 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. He was counselled regarding HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. 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.

Department of Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, NT..

The Medical journal of Australia 1993-07-05; 159(1): 28-9

0025-729X

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8316109/?otool=iaurydwlib

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6912

Adult

Australia

Humans

Male

Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic

Oceanic Ancestry Group

Tropical spastic paraparesis in an aborigine.

Case Reports

Journal Article

Publication