Author/Authors :
Abolbashari, Samaneh Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Ghayour-Mobarhan, Majid Metabolic Syndrome Research Center - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Ebrahimi, Mahmoud Department of Cardiology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Meshka, Zahra Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract :
Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Chronic inflammation is
an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, and viral infections can cause cardiovascular disease
by developing inflammation. Infection with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is endemic in
some parts of the world such as Japan, Africa, Caribbean islands, South America, and Iran.
HTLV-1 is an oncogenic retrovirus, and can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL or
ATLL). It also causes HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP).
A number of inflammatory diseases such as uveitis, arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome are also
associated with the virus. A few case reports have shown the direct involvement of the heart in
HTLV-1-positive patients who develop ATLL. The purpose of this study was to review the
literature relevant with the role of HTLV in cardiovascular diseases.
