Aquaporin-4 antibodies are not related to HTLV-1 associated myelopathy
Introduction The seroprevalence of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is very high among Brazilians (∼1∶200). HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological complication of HTLV-1 infection. HAM/TSP can present with an acute/subacute f...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
July 10, 2012
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| In: |
PLOS ONE
Year: 2012, Volume: 7, Issue: 7 |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0039372 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039372 Verlag, Volltext: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0039372 
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| Author Notes: | Felipe von Glehn, Sven Jarius, Augusto C. Penalva de Oliveira, Carlos Otávio Brandão, Alessandro S. Farias, Alfredo Damasceno, Jorge Casseb, Adriel S. Moraes, Ana Leda F. Longhini, Klaus-Peter Wandinger, Benito P. Damasceno, Brigitte Wildemann, Leonilda M. B. Santos |
| Summary: | Introduction The seroprevalence of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is very high among Brazilians (∼1∶200). HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological complication of HTLV-1 infection. HAM/TSP can present with an acute/subacute form of longitudinally extensive myelitis, which can be confused with lesions seen in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) on MRI. Moreover, clinical attacks in patients with NMOSD have been shown to be preceded by viral infections in around 30% of cases. Objective To evaluate the frequency of AQP4-Ab in patients with HAM/TSP. To evaluate the frequency of HTLV-1 infection in patients with NMOSD. Patients and Methods 23 Brazilian patients with HAM/TSP, 20 asymptomatic HTLV-1+ serostatus patients, and 34 with NMOSD were tested for AQP4-Ab using a standardized recombinant cell based assay. In addition, all patients were tested for HTLV-1 by ELISA and Western blotting. Results 20/34 NMOSD patients were positive for AQP4-Ab but none of the HAM/TSP patients and none of the asymptomatic HTLV-1 infected individuals. Conversely, all AQP4-Ab-positive NMOSD patients were negative for HTLV-1 antibodies. One patient with HAM/TSP developed optic neuritis in addition to subacute LETM; this patient was AQP4-Ab negative as well. Patients were found to be predominantly female and of African descent both in the NMOSD and in the HAM/TSP group; Osame scale and expanded disability status scale scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions Our results argue both against a role of antibodies to AQP4 in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP and against an association between HTLV-1 infection and the development of AQP4-Ab. Moreover, the absence of HTLV-1 in all patients with NMOSD suggests that HTLV-1 is not a common trigger of acute attacks in patients with AQP4-Ab positive NMOSD in populations with high HTLV-1 seroprevalence. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 26.07.2018 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0039372 |