Plasmapheresis in treatment of human T-lymphotropic virus type-I associated myelopathy.

Abstract

In 11 of 18 patients with human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy (HAM) gait, sensory, and/or sphincter disturbance improved with plasmapheresis (4 to 6 sessions in 2 weeks), and the effects were maintained for 2 to 4 weeks. Plasmapheresis lowered the titre of HTLV-I antibody in serum but not in cerebrospinal fluid, and change of HTLV-I antibody titres did not correlate with the effects of plasmapheresis. These results suggest that plasmapheresis is useful treatment, at least in producing a temporary improvement, in patients with HAM, and that some humoral factor(s), but not HTLV-I antibody, may be important in the pathogenesis of HAM.

• Authors: H Matsuo, T Nakamura, M Tsujihata, I Kinoshita, A Satoh, I Tomita, S Shirabe, K Shibayama, S Nagataki
• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 2 Issue 8620 Pg. 1109-13 (Nov 12 1988) ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England
• PMID: 2903326 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Viral (analysis, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Anus Diseases (cerebrospinal fluid, therapy)
• Deltaretrovirus Infections (cerebrospinal fluid, immunology, therapy)
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Female
• Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (immunology)
• Humans
• Locomotion
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Movement Disorders (cerebrospinal fluid, therapy)
• Nervous System Diseases (cerebrospinal fluid, therapy)
• Plasmapheresis
• Sensation
• Spinal Cord Diseases (cerebrospinal fluid, immunology, therapy)
• Time Factors