Molecular characterization of the human T cell lymphotropic virus type 2 long terminal repeat region: A discussion about possible influences at viral gene expression.

This study aimed to identify nucleotide signatures in the promoter region of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) isolated from infected individuals from Salvador, Brazil and in sequences from the GenBank database. DNA samples from HTLV-2-infected individuals were submitted to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, and molecular analyses were performed using bioinformatics tools. The phylogeny of HTLV-2 strains isolated from patients from Salvador reveals that all sequences were subtype c.

Comparison between the spastic paraplegia rating scale, Kurtzke scale, and Osame scale in the tropical spastic paraparesis/myelopathy associated with HTLV.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare Osame's scale of motor incapacity and the expanded scale of the state of incapacity of Kurtzke with the spastic paraplegia rating scale for the clinical evaluation of patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP).

Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of infection by HTLV-I/HTLV-II and with the clinical suspicion of HAM/TSP were included in the study.

Results: There were 45 patients who were evaluated.