A Caucasian Australian Presenting with Human T-lymphotropic Virus Type I Associated Myelopathy: a Case Report

Overview

Journal J Med Case Rep

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2014 Nov 24

PMID 25416840

Authors

Matthew Faull

Peter K Panegyres

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: We report the first known case of human T-lymphotropic virus type I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in an Australian Caucasian, a disease reported in Aboriginal and immigrant populations where the virus is often endemic.

Case Presentation: A 41-year-old Caucasian Australian man had a 3-year background of progressive functional decline from a myelopathy with spastic paraparesis and sphincteric dysfunction.

Conclusions: Although studies have shown a very low prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I in the greater Australian population, increased focus on Aboriginal health, and the expanding diversity and integration of the Australian population means that presentation of human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated disease is likely to increase.

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