(1) Department of Neurology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
(2) Division of Dermatology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
* Corresponding author Email: bhigjee@ukzn.ac.za
Introduction
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 was initially isolated from a patient with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Since then, it has been known to be associated with three main disorders, namely adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy and infective dermatitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1. This review examines the dermatological manifestations in detail.
Discussion
Skin manifestations range from xerosis to infective dermatitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and lymphoma. The prototype of skin involvement is infective dermatitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, which occurs in childhood. It is characterised by weeping, erythematous and scaly lesions affecting the face, scalp, retroauricular and flexural areas of the body. Infection with
Conclusion
Skin involvement occurs in up to 70% of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1-infected patients, including otherwise asymptomatic human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 carriers. Owing to its varied dermatological manifestations, it is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis in a number of skin disorders occurring in patients living in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1-endemic areas.
