AIIMS PG Entrance May 2015 – MCQ 32 – Tropical spastic paraparesis

Causative organism of tropical spastic paraparesis is?
A. Human immunodeficiency virus 1
B. Human immunodeficiency virus 2
C. Hepatitis B virus
D. Human T cell lymphotropic virus

Correct answer : D. Human T cell lymphotropic virus

HTLV 1Human T-cell lymphotropic virus

  • Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) is a disease of the spinal cord caused by Human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV).
  • Alternate names: HTLV associated myelopathy, chronic progressive myelopathy.
  • Paraparesis is a characteristic feature.
  • Other features include uveitis, arthritis, alveolitis, polymyositis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and infectious dermatitis.