Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of cytokines as disease markers of neurologic manifestation in long-term HTLV-1 infected individuals.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of a particular immunological profile in individuals long-term infected with HTLV-1, followed presenting different clinical courses.

Materials & Methods: Forty-eight individuals were evaluated for 19 cytokines analyzed in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with HTLV-1 presenting with and without neurological symptoms.

Results: Proinflammatory cytokines and the chemokine ligand 11 (ITAC/CXCL11) were increased in individuals with HTLV-1 coursing with neurological symptoms.