Quantitative assessment of spasticity in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis

People with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) develop spasticity. The authors examined 34 patients with HAM/TSP in Perú using a device that measures tone in the gastroc-soleus-Achilles tendon unit and provides a quantitative spasticity assessment (QSA). Tone in the 34 patients was more than double that of women with asymptomatic HTLV-I infection. The device may help to track progression in HTLV-I infection.

A pilot study of L-methionine for the treatment of AIDS-associated myelopathy

The pathogenesis of AIDS-associated vacuolar myelopathy (VM) may be related to abnormality of transmethylation mechanisms in the nervous system. To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of the methyl-group donor L-methionine in AIDS-associated VM, we conducted a pilot clinical trial in 12 patients with VM. Seven of the nine patients who completed the study had clinical and electrophysiologic improvement. Controlled studies may be indicated to assess the efficacy and safety of L-methionine in AIDS-associated VM.

Epstein-Barr virus (herpesvirus 4) types A, B and herpesvirus-6 variants A and B in patients presenting with recurrent upper respiratory inflammation, persistent paravertebral thoraco-lumbar muscle spasm and fatigue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

DNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Types A, B and Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) Variants A and B was detected by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the saliva of 51 non-immunocompromised donor patients and in the blood of seventy non-immunocompromised donor patients with specific signs and symptoms. The minimum selection criteria for each patient included acute or recurrent upper respiratory infection, unilateral thoracolumbar muscle spasm and fatigue. PCR DNA detection in the saliva of selected donors revealed 80% of the donors had either Type A or B EBV (41 of 51), 34.1% Type B EBV only (14 of 41), 9% Type A only (4 of 41), and 56.1% Type A and B EBV (23 of 41). HHV-6 DNA was detected in 45.0% (23 of 51). PCR for EBV in blood of selected donors revealed 68.5% Type A or B EBV (48 of 70), 0% type B EBV alone, 64.8% Type A EBV only (31 of 48) and 35.4% both Type A and B EBV (17 of 48). HHV-6 was detected in 96.4% (64 of 70). The association of Type B EBV in the pathogenesis of these patients is explored based on the PCR quantitation of B type EBV DNA present in the samples.