Human T-lymphotrophic viruses and diseases of long latency

Article Abstract:

The human T-lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) is associated with adult T-cell leukemia and a chronic neurologic disease, known as HTLV-I-associated myelopathy, or tropical paraparesis. HTLV-I-associated myelopathy is a chronic condition where the myelin, which surrounds the nerves, degenerates, especially around the nerves of the spinal cord. Recent reports show that some patients with multiple sclerosis, another disease where there is demyelination of the nerves, have sequences in their DNA that resemble the DNA of HTLV-1. HTLV-I is a retrovirus that is related to HIV-1, human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Similar to infection with HIV-1, there is a long latency period from the time of exposure to the onset of disease. HTLV-I is not as easily transmitted to others as HIV-1, but transmission does occur by the same routes, namely from mother to infant, by sexual contact (primarily from men to women), via blood transfusions or the sharing of contaminated blood needles by intravenous drug abusers. HTLV-1 infections are endemic in areas of Japan and some of the islands in the West Indies, such as Jamaica and Trinidad. The epidemiology of HTLV-I in the United States is not known. HTLV-I cross-reacts with another human retrovirus, HTLV-II, which is not known to be associated with any disease, except for occasional cases of lymphoproliferative cancers. It is difficult to distinguish between the two viruses with the available laboratory techniques. A recent decision to screen the United States blood supply for HTLV-I is complicated by this inability to differentiate between the two viruses. Further research is needed to differentiate HTLV-I from HTLV-II and from other retroviruses, and to understand the role this virus has in the development of disease. Infection with human retroviruses is a model for understanding many chronic diseases, including cancer and degenerative neurologic, rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Retroviruses, HTLV infections, editorial, HTLV (Viruses), HTLV viruses, Retrovirus infections, HTLV-I (Virus)

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Association between the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test in a Clinical Population

Article Abstract:

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the multiple sleep latency test may measure different aspects of daytime sleepiness. The Epworth Scale is a self-assessment that may be used to quantify the degree of sleepiness in patients, while the sleep latency test objectively measures qualities of sleep. Researchers administered both tests to 102 patients reporting excessive daytime sleepiness, and found that there was no significant association between the scores on the two tests. Each test may measure a different component of sleepiness.

United States, Testing, Sleep disorders

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Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I infection in Barbados: results of a 20-year follow-up study

Article Abstract:

Antibodies for human T-cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) can live for many years in a patient and not be a factor in transferring the disease to household members. The human T-cell lymphotropic virus is a retrovirus associated with T-cell leukemia which is transmitted from mother to child, by blood transfusion and from male to female. Forty-one HTLV-I patients in Barbados maintained their seropositivity over a twenty year period and showed no HTLV-I-related neurological or immunological changes.

HTLV-I infections

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