Jjf. Oger et al., HTLV-I-ASSOCIATED MYELOPATHY - AN ENDEMIC DISEASE OF CANADIAN ABORIGINALS OF THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC COAST, Canadian journal of neurological sciences, 20(4), 1993, pp. 302-306
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) is responsible for HTL
V-I associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) an
d for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Both diseases have been w
ell described in individuals living in Japan, West Indies, Seychelles
Islands and Columbia where infection with HTLV-I is considered endemic
and in persons whose descendants originated from these endemic areas.
We report here 4 cases of HAM/TSP in 4 natives from 4 different triba
l groups from British Columbia (B.C.). These are the first case report
s of HTLV-I linked diseases found among North American Aboriginals. Po
ssible routes of infection for HTLV-I infection included sexual transm
ission, breast feeding, blood transfusions and IV drug use. The seropr
evalence of HTLV-I in North American Native population is unknown and
we suggest that it is endemic in this ethnic group.