Development of tropical spastic paraparesis in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 carriers is influenced by interleukin 28B gene polymorphisms

Interleukin 28B (IL28B) rs12979860 polymorphisms were examined in 41 individuals with human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The alleles CT/TT were more frequent in 12 individuals with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis than in 29 asymptomatic carriers (80 vs 20; P =. 03), and median HTLV-1 proviral load was greater in CT/TT than CC carriers (P =. 01). Thus, IL28B testing and closer follow-up of HTLV-1 asymptomatic CT/TT carriers is warranted. © 2012 The Author.