Infectious Dermatitis Associated with HTLV-1 in Adults: Difficult Diagnosis and Important Clinical Management

  • Priscila Silva Correia Pós-graduandos e Residentes do Serviço de Dermatologia/Residents, Dermatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ/HUPE), Brasil
  • Fernanda Cabral Pós-graduandos e Residentes do Serviço de Dermatologia/Residents, Dermatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ/HUPE), Brasil
  • Gabriela Higino de Souza Pós-graduandos e Residentes do Serviço de Dermatologia/Residents, Dermatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ/HUPE), Brasil
  • Miguel Barrella Neto Interno de Medicina/Resident, Internal Medicine,Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brasil
  • Daniel Lago Abadia Médico Dermatologista voluntário do Serviço de Dermatologia/Resident Volunteer, Dermatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ/HUPE), Brasil
  • Igor Brum Cursi Médico Dermatologista voluntário do Serviço de Dermatologia/Resident Volunteer, Dermatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ/HUPE), Brasil
Keywords: Brazil, Dermatitis, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1, HTLV-I Infections Skin Diseases, Viral

Abstract

Infectious dermatitis is a severe, chronic and relapsing dermatitis, associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Although most reported cases have onset in childhood, adult cases of infectious dermatitis have been reported. The dermatological framework mimics common conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, impetigo and mycosis fungoides. In endemic countries for HTLV-1, like Brazil, it is essential that the infectious dermatitis is considered as a differential diagnosis in these cases. Early diagnosis is important to prevent the dissemination and provide appropriate monitoring and treatment of possible complications associated with the virus, such as HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis, and Adult T-cell leukemia / lymphoma. We report two female patients with adult-onset infectious dermatitis. In order to enrich the report, we also presented the daughter's photos from one of the patients, with the same diagnosis.

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Published
2017-04-17
How to Cite
Silva Correia, P., Cabral, F., Higino de Souza, G., Barrella Neto, M., Lago Abadia, D., & Brum Cursi, I. (2017). Infectious Dermatitis Associated with HTLV-1 in Adults: Difficult Diagnosis and Important Clinical Management. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 75(1), 73-77. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.75.1.721
Section
Case Reports