Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1- Associated Myelopathy, or Tropical Spastic Paraparesis(HAM/TSP)

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1–Associated Myelopathy، or Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a slowly progressive disease with characteristics such as spastic paralysis، sensory dysfunction in lower limbs and sphincteric dysfunction which infection with HTLV-1 virus is responsible for it. Clinical course of this disease is almost progressive and without treatment results in severe disability. Human T Lymphocytic Virus-type 1 which is endemic in north east of Iran، Khorasan، in 3% of carriers results in HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy /Tropical Spastic Paraparesis. Although chronic inflammation of spinal cord seems to play a major role in the pathogenesis of this disease، immunomodulatory treatments have not shown significant improvement in this disorder. Since، different approaches such as prednisolone، danazol، plasma exchange and alfa interferon are used for treatment of this disease، although، these treatments were not completely successful and one distinct protocol was not proposed. As HTLV-1 infection is endemic in Khorasan، clinical studies about this disorder and its treatment is necessary.