The HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a myelopathy with predominant involvement of the pyramidal tract with minimal sensory loss and associated with HTLV-I infection, endemic in tropical areas, has been identified in four patients in Porto Alegre (RS, Brazil), a temperate zone.
HTLV-1 associated myelopathy; tropical spastic paraparesis; HTLV-I; Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)