Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1—Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis in Sao Paulo, Brazil: Association with Blood Transfusion
- 1 July 1997
- journal article
- Published by American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- Vol. 57 (1) , 56-59
- https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1997.57.56
Abstract
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) has been epidemiologically linked to prior blood transfusion. The prevalence of transfusion as a risk factor for infection varies among endemic areas. Here we report the relative frequency of reported history of blood transfusion among 52 patients evaluated in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A patient reported history of blood transfusion prior to the onset of symptoms, found in 15 (28.8%) of the patients, was the most important risk factor identified in this group of patients when compared with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, homo/bisexuality, sexual promiscuity (three or more sexual partners a year), and intravenous drug use. The mean time between reported transfusions and the onset of symptoms was longer than previously reported. There was no trend toward a more severe evolution to motor inability among the HAM/TSP patients with a history of previous transfusion.Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: