Paraparesia espástica tropical subaguda: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura

Abstract

Introduction

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting the spinal cord.

Case report

We present the case of a 36-year-old female nurse from Tumaco, Colombia, with hyperreflexia, urinary dysfunction and sensitive level. A magnetic resonance imaging showed longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in cervicothoracic spine and serological tests confirmed HTLV-1 infection. Treatment with corticosteroid and posterior plasmapheresis results in neurological improvement in the patient.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis through MRI and serology is crucial to preventing disease progression and neurological deterioration in TSP/HAM.