Abstract

DIAZ TORRES, Héctor M.; SANCHEZ RUIZ, Julieta; MARTIN ALFONSO, Dayamí  and  PEREZ NELLAR, Jesús. Tropical spastic paraparesis and HTLV-I-associated proliferative synovitis. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2008, vol.60, n.3. ISSN 0375-0760.

BACKGROUND: the Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus type I (HTLV-I) is considered to be endemic in the Caribbean area, where it is recognized as the etiologic agent of the tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). In Cuba, 0.037 % seroprevalence has been reported. OBJECTIVES: to demonstrate the association of the HTLV-I infection in a patient showing tropical spastic paraparesis and chronic proliferative knee synovitis. METHODS: the clinical diagnosis of spastic paraparesis and chronic proliferative knee synovitis was made. Humoral and diagnostic imaging studies were performed to support the differential and positive diagnoses. ELISA´s and Western Blot techniques were used for the detection of HTLV-I antibodies. RESULTS: the HTLV-I infection was confirmed by serologic studies. The symptoms and signs were compatible with those established in the WHO guidelines for the diagnosis of this disease. The case no. 33 with diagnosis of HTLV-I infection in Cuba was reported. CONCLUSIONS: it was the first time that the association of TSP and joint manifestations was found in a Cuban HTLV-I infected patient.

Keywords : HTLV-I; tropical spastic paraparesis; proliferative synovitis.