Abstract

application's abstract): Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection causes tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM), is transmitted sexually, parenterally, or perinatally, and is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. The early natural history of sexually acquired HTLV-I infection in young adults remains largely undefined. The candidate's previous studies of female sex workers (FSW) in Peru yielded 2 important findings. First, frequent cervical shedding of HTLV-I DNA among women with sexually acquired HTLV-I infection, as well as a strong association of cervical shedding of HTLV-I DNA with the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, and with young age were found. Second, a blinded, computer assisted quantitative spasticity assessment demonstrated a significantly higher mean spasticity score among asymptomatic FSW with HTLV-I infection, than among uninfected controls.
The specific aims of the proposed study are to (1) define clinical and virological features of early HTLV-I infection, (2) to define determinants of cervico-vaginal HTLV-I shedding and the potential role of shedding in sexual transmission, and (3) to define virological and immunological correlates associated with subclinical spasticity and TSP/HAM.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23AI001600-02
Application #
6372626
Study Section
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Research Review Committee (AIDS)
Program Officer
Beisel, Christopher E
Project Start
2000-09-30
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2001-06-01
Budget End
2002-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$125,658
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Washington
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195

  Publications

Pollett, Simon; Calderon, Martha; Heitzinger, Kristen et al. (2013) Prevalence and predictors of cervicitis in female sex workers in Peru: an observational study. BMC Infect Dis 13:195
Navarro-Chumbes, Gian Carlos; Montano-Torres, Silvia Margarita; Díaz-Vásquez, Alberto et al. (2010) Clinical research training of Peruvian neurologists: a baseline assessment. Neurol Int 2:e6
Zunt, J R; Montano, S M; Beck, I et al. (2006) Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: viral load and muscle tone are correlated. J Neurovirol 12:466-71
Zunt, Joseph R; Tapia, Ken; Thiede, Hanne et al. (2006) HTLV-2 infection in injection drug users in King County, Washington. Scand J Infect Dis 38:654-63
Walker, M D; Zunt, J R (2005) Neuroparasitic infections: nematodes. Semin Neurol 25:252-61
Walker, M D; Zunt, J R (2005) Neuroparasitic infections: cestodes, trematodes, and protozoans. Semin Neurol 25:262-77
Zunt, J R; Montano, S M; Alarcon, J O V et al. (2005) Quantitative assessment of spasticity in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. J Neurovirol 11:70-3
Han, May H; Zunt, Joseph R (2005) Neurologic aspects of infections in international travelers. Neurologist 11:30-44
Montano, S M; Zunt, J R; Rodriguez, L et al. (2004) Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection and early neurologic development: a pilot study of 48 children. Clin Infect Dis 39:1079-82
Levin, Michael C; Lee, Sang Min; Kalume, Franck et al. (2002) Autoimmunity due to molecular mimicry as a cause of neurological disease. Nat Med 8:509-13

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