Infective dermatitis with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), (IDH), is a recurrent chronic eczema occurring in HTLV-1 infected children. Very rare cases of adulthood IDH are reported. This study is aimed to compare juvenile and adulthood IDH. According to clinicopathological and molecular characteristics, twelve cases of adulthood IDH followed for an average mean time of 7.5 years were analyzed as compared to juvenile IDH cases.

Diagnosis was done on the modified criteria used for juvenile IDH. Proviral load (PVL) assessment was done by real-time PCR technique. Adulthood IDH also presented related clinicopathological and molecular characteristics as compared to juvenile IDH. The morphology of lesions and the involved areas were similar, excluding for the involvement of the ankles and inframammary folds in the adulthood type. HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) was seen in six adulthood IDH patients, with nearly equal frequency. In two patients, HAM/TSP appeared earlier to IDH, in a different way as observed in juvenile IDH.

According to clinicopathological aspects and PVL levels, the adulthood IDH is very similar to juvenile IDH. Thus, the similar modified major diagnostic criteria used for juvenile IDH can be applied to both the forms.

Source: Souza LS, Silva TS, de Oliveira MFP, et al. Clinicopathological aspects and proviral load of adulthood infective dermatitis associated with HTLV-1: Comparison between juvenile and adulthood forms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Apr 24; 14(4):e0008241. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008241. [Epub ahead of print]