Dermatologic Manifestations in HTLV1Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type1 (HTLV1) is associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and other disorders, including a slowly progressive demyelinating paraparesis, known as HTLV1associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Dermatologic manifestations are common in patients infected with HTLV1 infection. In this study, we evaluated the dermatologic lesions associated with HAM/TSP patients in Mashhad, Iran. Dermatological findings of 37 patients with HAM/TSP were investigated and compared with those of an HTLV1 negative control group. A cutaneous biopsy was performed as needed, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results of the present study showed that 34 cases with HAM/TSP (91.9%) and 24 cases in the control group (64.9%) had at least one skin lesion or history of skin lesion before (P=0.010). Xerosis was found in 22 persons (59.5%) in the case group and 4 persons in the control group (10.8%) (P=0.000). Only xerosis was significantly associated with HAM/TSP. Skin manifestations were quite frequent in patients with HAM/TSP. Xerosis was significantly associated with HAM/TSP.