[Progressive myelopathy caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in 3 patients in The Netherlands].

One man and two women (aged 30, 44 and 46, respectively) were seen between 1987 and 1992 with a myelopathy caused by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). The first symptoms were impaired gait in the man and micturition disorders in the women. Diagnosing took 2 to 4 years, possibly due to the fact that many Dutch physicians are unfamiliar with the disease. The diagnosis was based on originating from an endemic area (i.e. Surinam and the Caribbean basin), the clinical picture and the presence of antibodies against HTLV-I in blood and CSF. The disease in a number of years leads to spastic paraparesis, incontinence for urine and dependence on a wheelchair.