Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in Child
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in Child

Contributors: Nina Haghi MD, Carla Casulo MD, Paritosh Prasad MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus prevalent in Africa, China, Japan, South Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean islands, and Central and South America. It has 2 major disease associations: adult T-cell leukemia / lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), also known as tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). This retrovirus is transmitted by blood transfusion, needle sharing, and breastfeeding. Additionally, it can be transferred by tissue donation and via sexual contact and occupational exposure in health care workers. Transmission can also occur from nonhuman primates in endemic regions of Africa.

HTLV-1 virus is associated with ATL, a proliferation of CD4+ T-cells that can present in various forms. The lifetime risk of developing ATL after infection with HTLV-1 is approximately 2%-5%, and development occurs about 20-30 years after initial infection. The acute form is seen in most cases and has an aggressive course (approximate 6-month survival) presenting with skin lesions, hypercalcemia, bone lesions, and pulmonary infiltrates. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement can also occur. The lymphomatous form presents with lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and skin lesions. The chronic form has a slightly longer prognosis (approximately 2-year survival) and presents without hypercalcemia, CNS involvement, or gastrointestinal involvement. The smoldering form is the least common and has the best prognosis (survival of approximately 5 years); it is limited to skin and lung involvement only.

HTLV-1 is also associated with HAM. It is characterized by slow-onset weakness and spasticity in the lower extremities, hyperreflexia, back pain, urinary frequency / incontinence, paresthesias, and sensory changes. The upper limbs are spared. HAM occurs more commonly in women, and its severity is related to the proviral load found in the CNS.

HTLV-1-associated infective dermatitis (HTLV-1-associated ID) is a chronic, relapsing skin eruption that occurs in children more frequently than adults in the Caribbean and South America (most frequently in northeastern Brazil). HTLV-1 is thought to drive the immune dysregulation that is responsible for the eruption, and secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus or β-hemolytic streptococci is common.

Related topic: human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 2

Codes

ICD10CM:
B97.33 – Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus, type I [HTLV-I] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

SNOMEDCT:
429659006 – Human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 infection

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:05/21/2023
Last Updated:05/22/2023
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in Child
A medical illustration showing key findings of Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1
Clinical image of Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 - imageId=1878080. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Violaceous macules and patches on the back and flank.'
Violaceous macules and patches on the back and flank.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.