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SPASTIC ATAXIA ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN T-CELL LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE-II INFECTION ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY Harrington, W. J., Sheremata, W., Hjelle, B., Dube, D. K., Bradshaw, P., Foung, S. K., Snodgrass, S., TOEDTER, G., Cabral, L., Poiesz, B. 1993; 33 (4): 411-414

Abstract

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type one (HTLV-1) is associated with tropical spastic paraparesis or HTLV-I--associated myelopathy. We report 2 women with a spastic ataxic illness similar to HTLV-I--associated myelopathy infected solely with HTLV-II. Identification of HTLV-II infection was made serologically, by polymerase chain reaction, and by viral culture (in 1 woman). One woman, treated with 200 mg of danazol orally, three times daily, had pronounced improvement in ambulation, nocturnal spasticity, and nighttime urinary frequency. It appears that infection with HTLV-II may cause an illness similar to HTLV-I--associated myelopathy, but distinguished by the presence of ataxia.

View details for Web of Science ID A1993KW78100015

View details for PubMedID 8489213