What is Tropical Spastic Paraparesis?
Tropical spastic paraparesis which is also known as HTLV-associated myelopathy or chornic progressive myelopathy affects the spinal cord. It is an infection that occurs by Human T-lymphotropic virus that leads to paraparesis and weakens the legs. This infection is mostly found in tropical regions like Caribbean and Africa.
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What are the Symptoms of Tropical Spastic Paraparesis?
The signs of symptoms of tropical spastic paraparesis include:
- Increasing muscle weakness
- Sensory disturbance
- Sphincter dysfunction
- Urinary incontinence
- Uveitis
- Arthritis
- Pulmonary lymphocyte alveolitis
- Polymyositis
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- Infectious dermatitis
What is the Prevention?
The best way to prevent tropical spastic paraparesis is to screen products used in blood transfusion for HTLV-1 antibodies.
What are the Risks?
The risks associated with tropical spastic paraparesis include:
- Incontinence
- Oligoclonal bands
- Myelopathy
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