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HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy: An Endemic Disease of Canadian Aboriginals of the Northwest Pacific Coast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

J.F. Oger Joël*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (J.J.F.O., D.J.F.); Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (D.H.W.); Immunology Group, John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, (G.A.D.)
H. Werker Denise*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (J.J.F.O., D.J.F.); Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (D.H.W.); Immunology Group, John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, (G.A.D.)
J. Foti Dean*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (J.J.F.O., D.J.F.); Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (D.H.W.); Immunology Group, John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, (G.A.D.)
A. Dekaban Gregory*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (J.J.F.O., D.J.F.); Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, (D.H.W.); Immunology Group, John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, (G.A.D.)
*
University Hospital (UBC site), 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5
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Abstract:

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Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) is responsible for HTLV-I associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Both diseases have been well described in individuals living in Japan, West Indies, Seychelles Islands and Columbia where infection with HTLV-I is considered endemic and in persons whose descendants originated from these endemic areas. We report here 4 cases of HAM/TSP in 4 natives from 4 different tribal groups from British Columbia (B.C.). These are the first case reports of HTLV-I linked diseases found among North American Aboriginals. Possible routes of infection for HTLV-I infection included sexual transmission, breast feeding, blood transfusions and IV drug use. The seroprevalence of HTLV-I in North American Native population is unknown and we suggest that it is endemic in this ethnic group.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1993

References

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