Erectile insufficiency as first symptom of HTLV I/II associated myelopathy: case report

ABSTRACT

A case of HTLV-I/II myelopathy in which the initial complaint was erectile insufficiency (EI) is reported. The only abnormalities found on the neurological exam were discrete weakness of the psoas and increased knee jerk reflexes. Diagnosis was male by demonstrating antibodies anti-HTLV I/II in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (with the techniques of ELISA and Western blot), with confirmation by the polymerase chaim reaction (PCR). El can thus be the first symptom of HTLV-I/II infection and patients with EI of unknown etiology should be tested for HTLV-I/II in endemic areas.