A Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1) Carrier with Acutely Progressive Interstitial Pneumonia

Search this article

Description

A human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) carrier who showed acutely progressive interstitial pneumonia is reported. The patient, a 77-year-old Japanese man, was admitted to our hospital because of fever, dyspnea, and rapidly progressive bilateral reticulonodular shadows on chest X-ray films. Serum HTLV-1 antibody was positive. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed that the total cell count was increased with 70% lymphocytes, and that the CD 4/8 ratio was decreased to 0.73. Pathological examination by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) showed active interstitial pneumonia. No abnormal findings were detected by a neurological examination, and no atypical T lymphocytic cells were found in the TBLB specimen or on repeated hemograms. Prednisolone (60mg/day) was given p. o. and interstitial pneumonia improved within 10 days. However, moderation of the intensive steroid therapy due to active pulmonary tuberculosis led to recurrence of the severe interstitial pneumonia, and this resulted in the patient's death.

Journal

  • Kitasato medicine

    Kitasato medicine 25 (2), 201-206, 1995-04-30

    Kitasato University

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top