Cooper, S., Schim van der Loeff, M., McConkey, S., Cooper, M., Sarge-Njie, R., Kaye, S. and Whittle, H. (2009) Neurological morbidity among human T-lymphotropic-virus-type-1-infected individuals in a rural West African population. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 80, pp. 66-68. (doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2008.152819)
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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2008.152819
Abstract
<b>Background</b>: Community-based neurological data about human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. <b>Objectives</b>: To ascertain the prevalence of neurological morbidity, in particular tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), among HTLV-1-infected subjects and to compare TSP prevalence in HTLV-1-infected with that in non-infected subjects in a rural West African population. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study of HTLV-1-infected cases and controls (ratio 4:1) from a rural community (population approximately 10 000, HTLV-1 prevalence 7.7%). One neurologist masked to HTLV-1 serological status assessed all subjects. Clinical criteria were employed to diagnose TSP. <b>Results</b>: From 205 eligible cases and controls, 139 were recruited with a mean age of 56 years, and 113 (81%) were HTLV-1-infected. 108/139 (78%) were female, and 8/113 HTLV-1 infected cases (7.1%) had a definite or probable TSP (all females; mean age 67 years) compared with 0/26 controls. Two with TSP were co-infected with HIV-2. Complaints of back pain and leg weakness were more common in HTLV-1-infected individuals (p = 0.03, p = 0.02), but no single symptom distinguished between subjects with and without TSP. <b>Conclusion</b>: We report a prevalence of TSP among HTLV-1-infected persons in this rural West African setting of 7.1%. There are difficulties excluding other potential aetiologies here.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Cooper, Dr Maxwell |
Authors: | Cooper, S., Schim van der Loeff, M., McConkey, S., Cooper, M., Sarge-Njie, R., Kaye, S., and Whittle, H. |
Subjects: | Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences |
Journal Name: | Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry |
ISSN: | 0022-3050 |
ISSN (Online): | 1468-330X |
Published Online: | 31 October 2008 |
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