Active clinical trials for "HTLV-I Infections"

Only 5 to 10% of patients infected with HTLV-1 develop a disease related to infection. The two most serious diseases are adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and Tropical spastic paraparesis /HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (TSP / HAM). Factors influencing the development of TSP / HAM in the individual HTLV-1 are not yet completely understood. Patients TSP / HAM have a HTLV-1 proviral load (amount of virus) that is 6-10 times higher than seropositive asymptomatic. Various studies have shown that the development of TSP / HAM in the subject HTLV-1 and its rapid evolution is partly attributed to the failure of the immune system that regulates viral replication and expression. It has recently been shown that different versions of Single Nucleotide (human leukocyte antigen) rs12979860, located upstream of the gene for Interleukin 28B (IL28B), influenced the severity of infection with hepatitis C and effectiveness of treatment. By analogy with hepatitis C, a Spanish (Treviño et al., 2012) examined this SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism) in 12 patients TSP / HAM and 29 asymptomatic HIV-positive. CT or TT genotype was statistically more frequent in the group TSP / HAM than in asymptomatic patients (80% versus 20%) and was associated with HTLV-1 proviral load higher. We propose a broader group of patients in our population and Afro-Caribbean, to confirm the results of the latter study was conducted in a predominantly Latin American population.

The purpose of this study is to assess the validity and reproducibility of the MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4 in blood specimens testing repeat reactive (RR) on the first FDA licensed screening assay (Abbott Prism) and non-reactive (NR) on the second FDA licensed screening assay (Avioq ELISA).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the nervous system. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions are diseases that cause the body's immune system and natural defenses to attack healthy cells. In the case of MS, the immune system begins attacking myelin, the cells that make up the sheath covering nerves. Without myelin, nerves are unable to transmit signals effectively and symptoms occur. This study is directed toward a better understanding of the cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Researchers will evaluate patients with a tentative diagnosis of MS or other neurological diseases possibly caused by a immunological reaction. Patients will undergo a series of three MRIs, taken once a month for three months and submit blood samples for immunological studies.

The purpose of this study is: To assess the validity and reproducibility of the MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4. To conduct a sensitivity analysis of the HTLV Blot 2.4 using a known positive population.