Urodynamic features of the voiding dysfunction in HTLV-1 infected individuals

OBJECTIVE:To describe urodynamic abnormalities in HTLV-1 infected individuals presenting urinary symptoms and verify if these findings and quality of life (QOL) evaluation correlate with overall neurological impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January/2001 to May/2004, 324 HTLV-1 seropositive subjects were evaluated to determine the occurrence of urinary symptoms. Urodynamic testing was performed in those who complained of frequency, urgency, or incontinence. They went through a complete clinical, neurological, and urological examination to investigate symptoms and signs of myelopathy. Neurological disability was assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). RESULTS: From the 324 patients evaluated, 78 underwent the urodynamic testing. Fifty-seven individuals were females (73.1 percent) and age ranged from 23 to 76 years (mean = 48.7 years; SD ± 11.6). Urodynamic testing was abnormal in 63 patients (80.8 percent). The major abnormality was detrusor overactivity (DO), observed in 33 individuals (33/63; 52.4 percent), followed by detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD), diagnosed in 15 subjects (15/63; 25.4 percent). HAM/TSP patients had significantly more DESD than the HTLV-I carriers (p = 0.005; OR = 5.5; CI: 1.6 to 19.4). QOL was severely compromised in HAM/TSP patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prominent urodynamic abnormalities were identified in individuals genuinely considered as HTLV-I carriers, suggesting an early compromise of the urinary tract; whereas HAM/TSP patients presented urodynamic findings, which posed a potential risk to the upper urinary tract (dyssynergia). Urodynamic evaluation should be performed in all HTLV-I-infected individuals with voiding complaints.

Association of cytokines, neurological disability, and disease duration in HAM/TSP patients

OBEJETIVO: Identificar marcadores clínicos e imunológicos associados com a mielopatia associada ao HTLV-I/paraparesia espástica tropical (MAH/PET). MÉTODO: 237 indivíduos infectados pelo HTLV-I foram clinicamente avaliados. Eles foram classificados de acordo com a escala expandida do estado de incapacidade de Kurtzke (EDSS) e escala de incapacidade motora de Osame (OMDS). Níveis de citocinas foram determinados nos indivíduos. RESULTADOS: 37 pacientes tinham MAH/PET. Houve correlação entre os graus de incapacidade pelas escalas. Houve também correlação entre a duração da MAH/PET e o grau da incapacidade pelas escalas. Níveis elevados de IFN-g foram detectados em células mononucleares de sangue periférico (CMSP) não estimuladas de pacientes com MAH/PET quando comparados com indivíduos HTLV-I positivos assintomáticos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados demonstram a validade das escalas neurológicas para classificar o grau de incapacidade neurológica em portadores do HTLV-I e sugerem o comportamento progressivo da MAH/PET. Este estudo também demonstra que os níveis de IFN-g em sobrenadante de CMSP são marcadores da MAH/PET.

Bexiga neurogênica como primeira manifestaçäo de infecçäo pelo HTLV-I / Neurogenic bladder as the first manifestation of HTLV-I infection

Uma mulher de 28 anos soropositiva para HTLV-I, cursou com polaciúria, urgência miccional e urge incontinência como primeira manifestaçäo da infecçäo pelo vírus