A case of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I
Associated Myelopathy (HAM)

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 8(2); 1990 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1990;8(2): 378-383.

HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy (HAM)1예

박재현, 박수철,석승한, 김원주, 정재우, 이병인

연세대학교 신경과.

A case of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I Associated Myelopathy (HAM)

Jae Hyeon Park, M.D., Soo Chul Park, M.D., Seung Han Suk, M.D., Won Joo Kim, M.D., Jae Woo Chung, M.D., Byung In Lee, M.D.

Dep. Of Neurology, Yonsei University

Abstract

Since Gessain et al.(l985) first reported the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I virus in the sera of patients with tropical spastic paraparesis(TSP), Osame et al.(l986) in Japan have reported a new entity of HTLV-I associated myelopathy(HAM) characterized by chronic progressive spastic paraparesis. Subsequent Japanese nationwide survey revealed that there were approxirnately 600 HAM patients, especially in the endemic area, Kyushu(Osame et al, 1990a). Despite a large number of patients existing in Japan and presumed viral etioiogy of HAM, none have been previously reported in Korea. Here we report a Korean male presented with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, who was interestingly a husband of Japariese Korean lived in Kyushu, Japan. Investigations in this patient revealed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-1 both in the serum and CSF. Western blot assay also confirmed the diagnosis of HAM. Examination of the patient's wife who was asymptomatic showed significantly elevated antibody titers to HTLV-I in the serum but not in the CSF. It seemed likely that the patient was infected from his wife who was a carrier of HTLV-1