HTLV-1 associated myelopathy in an HTLV-1 and HBV double carrier family: report of a case and the mode of vertical transmission of both viruses.

Osame et al. first described human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy (HAM) as a new clinical entity in 1986. A 23 year old female diagnosed as having HAM whose family had a high frequency of double virus infection with HTLV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) gave reason to suspect mother-to-child transmission of both viruses. No clear coincidence in the mode of transmission of HTLV-1 and HBV was found. It is presumed that the mechanism of infection with HTLV-1 and HBV differ slightly.