Research of Clinical Features and Pathomechanism of HAM

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We could establish the clinical entity of HTLV-I-associated nmyelopathy(HAM). The nationwide survay of HAM was performed and 710 patients of HAM were found to exist throughout Japan. More than 60% of them were living in Kyushu. About 26% of the patients had the previous history of blood transfusion. Clinical features were analyzed. Immunological studies were also done and activated T lymphocytes were found to be increased both in serum and CSF. Electroencephalographic abnormalities were also found in HAM. Three patients were autopsied and detailed neuropathological analysis were done. The main lesions existed at the thorathic level of the spinal cord and were consisted of inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration around vessels and gliosis. Immunosupressive treatment were found to be effective for HAM.