Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: For several decades the term “tropical spastic paraparesis” (TSP) was used to describe a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome that affected ... more about Tropical Spastic Paraparesis.
Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: A form of spastic partial paralysis of the lower limbs which occurs in the tropics. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Tropical Spastic Paraparesis is available below.
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Prognosis for Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: HAM/TSP is usually a progressive neurological disorder but it is rarely fatal. Most patients live for several decades after the diagnosis. Their prognosis improves if they take steps to prevent urinary tract infection and skin sore formation, and if they enroll in physical and occupational therapy programs. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Information Page: NINDS)
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For several decades the term “tropical spastic paraparesis” (TSP) was used to describe a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome that affected adults living in equatorial areas of the world. This condition was initially thought to be associated with infectious agents (such as Treponema pertenue and Treponema pallidum which cause inflammation of the central nervous system) and with chronic nutritional deficiencies (such as avitaminosis) or exposure to potentially toxic foods (such as bitter cassava). Neurological and modern neuroepidemiological studies found that in some individuals no one cause could explain the progressive weakness, sensory disturbance, and sphincter dysfunction that affected individuals with TSP. In spite of public health programs created to eradicate the above-mentioned infectious and nutritional conditions in the tropics, large numbers of people continued to be affected. During the mid-1980's, an important association was established between the first human retrovirus-human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 (also known as HTLV-1)-and idiopathic TSP (idiopathic means of unknown origin). Since then, this condition has been named HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis or HAM/TSP and scientists now understand that it is a condition caused by a virus that results in immune dysfunction. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Information Page: NINDS)
A subacute paralytic myeloneuropathy occurring endemically in tropical areas such as the Caribbean, Colombia, India, and Africa, as well as in the southwestern region of Japan; associated with infection by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HUMAN T-LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS 1). Clinical manifestations include a slowly progressive spastic weakness of the legs, increased reflexes, Babinski signs, incontinence, and loss of vibratory and position sensation. On pathologic examination inflammatory, demyelination, and necrotic lesions may be found in the spinal cord. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1239) - (Source - Diseases Database)
Tropical Spastic Paraparesis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of
Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This means that Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, or a subtype of Tropical Spastic Paraparesis,
affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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