Abstract

Background: Some mineral changes have been reported in chronic viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus. We have recently reported higher magnesium (Mg) levels in adult T-cell leukemia cases, a malignancy related to human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type 1 (HTLV-1). We expanded the study of HTLV-1 infected asymptomatic individuals as well as HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the serum levels of Mg in HTLV-1 carriers and HAM/TSP cases.

Materials and Methods: A crosssectional was carried out at Mashhad blood transfusion and the Department of Neurology in Ghaem Hospital. A total of 16 symptomatic patients with HAM/TSP and 22 asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers were enrolled. Blood samples were taken to measure serum Mg. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 11.5.

Results: The mean Mg in HAM/TSP was significantly higher than normal ranges. Furthermore, Mg was higher in HTLV-1 carriers than normal values. No significant difference was observed between the two groups.

Conclusion: An increased Mg level was seen in both HTLV-1 carriers and HAM/TSP patients, though further studies should be performed with larger sample size among HTLV-1 patients.

Key words: Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1; Magnesium; Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Associated Myelopathy/tropical Spastic Paraparesis; Minerals; Serum