The objective of this study is to describe the clinical and immunological aspects observed in patients with both human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and ocular dryness.
In 15 such patients, clinical and biological examinations completed with a biopsy of secondary salivary glands were performed to assess the etiology of the ocular dryness.
Histological study of the biopsy specimens indicated that 80% of the patients had grade 3 or grade 4 lesions, according to the Chisholm scale. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia was found in 60% of patients and lymphocytic alveolitis in 80%. Three patients had past medical history of chronic uveitis.
All findings in these patients were compatible with Sjögren's syndrome; however, no immunological disorders characteristic of the syndrome were found. Tests for antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor proved negative in all cases.