Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1)-induced Uveitis

ABSTRACT

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a human retrovirus that causes T-cell malignant diseases (adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma) and HTLV-1-related non-malignant inflammatory diseases, such as HTLV-1 uveitis. Although the symptoms and signs of HTLV-1 uveitis are nonspecific, intermediate uveitis with various degrees of vitreous opacity is the most common clinical presentation. It can occur in one or both eyes and its onset is acute or subacute. Intraocular inflammation can be managed with topical and/or systemic corticosteroids; however, recurrence of uveitis is common. The visual prognosis is generally favorable, but a certain proportion of patients have a poor visual prognosis. Systemic complications of patients with HTLV-1 uveitis include Graves’ disease and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. This review describes the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, ocular manifestations, management, and immunopathogenic mechanisms of HTLV-1 uveitis.

KEYWORDS:

• ATL
• Graves’ disease
• HTLV-1
• provirus load
• uveitis

Disclosure statement

Conflict of Interest: Y.T.: No conflicts of interest. K.M.: Tomey Corporation (Patent), Beaver Visitec International Japan (Financial Support), Alcon Japan (Financial Support). N.S.: RE Medical, Inc. (Financial Support), M.M.: No conflicts of interest. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Ethics Committee approval was obtained at Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyakonojo, Japan. The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki, with informed consent obtained in the form of the opt-out website for the procedures performed and for the review of their records.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.