Human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the first human retrovir us to be associated with malignant disease-namely, adult T-cell leukaemia/l ymphoma. HTLV-I has also been associated with several non-malignant conditi ons, notably the chronic neurodegenerative disorder, HTLV-I associated myel opathy (also known as tropical spastic paraparesis), infective dermatitis o f children and uveitis. More recent evidence points to disease associations not previously linked to HTLV-I. Thus, the disease spectrum of HTLV-I is n ot fully known. HTLV-I has a worldwide distribution with major endemic foci in the Caribbean and southern Japan. The public health importance is confi rmed by the major routes of transmission, which are mother-to-child, blood transfusion, and sexual activity. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available ye t and there is no proven treatment for advanced HTLV-I disease.