HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in a 7-year-old boy associated with infective dermatitis

Abstract

HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a chronic myelopathy characterized by a slowly progressive spastic paraparesis and sphincter disturbances beginning in adulthood. Only eight well-documented cases occurring in childhood and adolescence have been described. Infective dermatitis associated to the HTLV-I (IDH) is a chronic eczema of childhood occurring in vertically infected carriers. Here we describe a 7-year-old boy with HAM/TSP and IDH. The neurological manifestations were spastic gait, hyperreflexia of lower limbs, clonus and bilateral Babinski’s sign. High levels of HTLV-I antibodies in the serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. The association of these two diseases and the early onset of HAM/TSP are probably related to a strong humoral anti-HTLV-I response.