Manifestações oculares observadas em indivíduos infectados por HTLV-I no Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of ocular manifestations observed in HTLV-I seropositive patients in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: The study included 17 patients with TSP/HAM (tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy) and 55 HTLVI seropositive patients without TSP/HAM or ATLL (adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma). Results: Regarding the TSP/HAM patient samples, we observed a frequency of 11.8% anterior uveitis, 11.8% retinal vasculitis and 5.9% vitreous opacity. In HTLV-I seropositive patients without TSP/ HAM or ATLL, the frequencies of 1.8% retinal vasculitis and 1.8% cotton-wool spot were observed. Conclusion: HTLV-I must be considered as one of the etiological agents to be thought of in those ocular manifestations in endemic areas such as Rio de Janeiro.