Rb. Domingues et al., HUMAN T-CELL LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE-1-ASSOCIATED MYELOPATHY TROPICALSPASTIC PARAPARESIS IN SAO-PAULO, BRAZIL - ASSOCIATION WITH BLOOD-TRANSFUSION, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 57(1), 1997, pp. 56-59
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Tropical Medicine
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy/
tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) has been epidemiologically link
ed to prior blood transfusion. The prevalence of transfusion as a risk
factor for infection varies among endemic areas. Here we report the r
elative frequency of reported history of blood transfusion among 52 pa
tients evaluated in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A patient reported history of b
lood transfusion prior to the onset of symptoms, found in 15 (28.8%) o
f 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 repo
rted 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 transf
usion.