HTLV-I InfectionNCT00001778
Evaluation of Patients With HAM/TSP
An observational study of HTLV-I Infection and Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Objective: Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects less than 5% of patients infected with the HTLV-I virus. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 120 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- HTLV-I Infection, Tropical Spastic Paraparesis
- How many people
- 750 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 6 Apr 1998to not given
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 120 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Individuals sero-positive for HTLV, individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status, and healthy volunteers are eligible to participate in this protocol. Some individuals sero-positive for HTLV may have associated diseases including but not limited to HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and HTLV associated inflammatory myositis.
Who may be able to join
- Participants that meet one of the following criteria:
- Test positive for HTLV infection (positive HTLV-1 ELISA followed by a positive Western blot)
- Positive HTLV ELISA but a Western Blot that only partially fulfills the above criteria (seroindeterminate)
- Have a family member/significant other who is HTLV positive, and may have been exposed to the virus
- Healthy volunteer AND
- Willingness to participate in the protocol evaluations and procedures.
Who cannot join
- Unwillingness or inability to participate in the protocol evaluations and procedures.
- The presence of any medical, social, or psychiatric conditions that in the opinion of the investigator may affect the safety of the patients or compliance with the protocol.
- Patients/healthy volunteers under the age of 18 are excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
About this study
Official title: Immuno-Virological Evaluation of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 Associated Myelopathy (HAM/TSP)
Objective:
Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects less than 5% of patients infected with the HTLV-I virus. The purpose of this protocol is to study the natural history of HAM/TSP by monitoring clinical progression of patients longitudinally. Additionally, we will attempt to define the virological and immunological changes of HAM/TSP.
Read more
Study Population:
Patients with HAM/TSP who fulfill World Health Organization diagnostic criteria are eligible to participate in this protocol. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals and individuals with indeterminate HTLV-1 serology are also eligible to participate.
Design and Outcome Measures:
A longitudinal assessment of clinical, virological and immunological progression in HAM/TSP will be accomplished through periodic testing and evaluation. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals, those with seroindeterminate HTLV-I serology and normal volunteers may serve as controls. Longitudinal standardized neurological examinations will be performed. Longitudinal samples of serum, plasma, and lymphocytes may be obtained from participants. Lumbar punctures may be performed on all participants. These samples will be used virological and immunological assays. A focus is on the relationships between the characteristics of viral infection, the immune response, and the genetic makeup.
...
Read the detailed description
Objective
Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was first discovered in the search for retroviruses causing cancer in 1981. Shortly afterwards, HTLV-2 was also isolated. Although HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 share similar genome structure, routes of transmission, and replication pattern, they differ in epidemiology and disease associations. Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects less than 5% of patients infected with the HTLV-I virus. Recently, a large body of literature supports other inflammatory manifestations, some neurological such as myositis, due to HTLV-1 infection. Studies of HLTV-2 clinical manifestations have largely been confounded by concomitant HIV-1 infection or IV drug abuse making the establishment of clear relationship with other manifestations such as neurological disease difficult. Most patients infected with HTLV remain asymptomatic throughout their lifetime. The purpose of this protocol is to study the natural history of HTLV infection by monitoring participants longitudinally. Additionally, we will attempt to define the virological and immunological changes of these viral infections. In addition, this protocol may be used to screen for other VIS protocols.
Study Population
Individuals sero-positive for HTLV, individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status, and healthy volunteers are eligible to participate in this protocol. Some individuals sero-positive for HTLV may have associated diseases including but not limited to HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and HTLV associated inflammatory disorders.
Design \& Outcome Measures
A longitudinal assessment of clinical, virological and immunological progression in HTLV related disease will be accomplished through periodic testing and evaluation. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals, those with sero-indeterminate HTLV serology and healthy volunteers may serve as controls. Longitudinal standardized neurological examinations will be performed. Longitudinal samples of serum, plasma, and lymphocytes may be obtained from participants. Lumbar punctures may be performed on all participants. These samples will be used for virological and immunological assays. A focus is on the relationships between the characteristics of viral infection, the immune response, and the genetic makeup.
- Conditions
- HTLV-I Infection, Tropical Spastic Paraparesis
- Keywords
- Immune Response, Sero-Indeterminant, Transmission, HTLV-1, HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy, Natural History, HTLV-I, HAM/TSP
- Medical subject headings
- HTLV-I Infections, Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| healthy volunteers | At least 18 years old and have no history of any medical illness that may confound study results or make participation in this protocol impossible | |
| individuals seropositive for HTLV | Positive HTLV-1 ELISA followed by a positive Western Blot | |
| individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status | Positive HTLV ELISA but a Western Blot that only partially fulfills criteria |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
To characterize the baseline features of patients with HTLV infection with regards to clinical features, imaging studies, immunological markers, and viral studies.
To characterize the baseline features of patients with HTLV infection with regards to clinical features, imaging studies, immunological markers, and viral studies.
Measured: each study visit
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in proviral load
Change proviral load
Measured: each study visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Study start6 Apr 1998
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HTLV-I InfectionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)The sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 750 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Steven Jacobson, Ph.D., Principal investigator, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001778
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 980047
- Other IDs
- 98-N-0047
- Status last verified
- 29 Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Nov 1999
- Last updated
- 5 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Gessain A, Barin F, Vernant JC, Gout O, Maurs L, Calender A, de The G. Antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type-I in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis. Lancet. 1985 Aug 24;2(8452):407-10. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92734-5.
PubMed 2863442Osame M, Matsumoto M, Usuku K, Izumo S, Ijichi N, Amitani H, Tara M, Igata A. Chronic progressive myelopathy associated with elevated antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type I and adult T-cell leukemialike cells. Ann Neurol. 1987 Feb;21(2):117-22. doi: 10.1002/ana.410210203.
PubMed 2881513Iwasaki Y. Pathology of chronic myelopathy associated with HTLV-I infection (HAM/TSP). J Neurol Sci. 1990 Apr;96(1):103-23. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(90)90060-z.
PubMed 2351985
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Immuno-Virological Evaluation of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 Associated Myelopathy (HAM/TSP)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001778
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 980047
- Conditions
- HTLV-I Infection, Tropical Spastic Paraparesis
- Keywords
- Immune Response, Sero-Indeterminant, Transmission, HTLV-1, HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy, Natural History, HTLV-I, HAM/TSP
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 750 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- 6 Apr 1998 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Objective:
Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects less than 5% of patients infected with the HTLV-I virus. The purpose of this protocol is to study the natural history of HAM/TSP by monitoring clinical progression of patients longitudinally. Additionally, we will attempt to define the virological and immunological changes of HAM/TSP.
Study Population:
Patients with HAM/TSP who fulfill World Health Organization diagnostic criteria are eligible to participate in this protocol. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals and individuals with indeterminate HTLV-1 serology are also eligible to participate.
Design and Outcome Measures:
A longitudinal assessment of clinical, virological and immunological progression in HAM/TSP will be accomplished through periodic testing and evaluation. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals, those with seroindeterminate HTLV-I serology and normal volunteers may serve as controls. Longitudinal standardized neurological examinations will be performed. Longitudinal samples of serum, plasma, and lymphocytes may be obtained from participants. Lumbar punctures may be performed on all participants. These samples will be used virological and immunological assays. A focus is on the relationships between the characteristics of viral infection, the immune response, and the genetic makeup.
...
Detailed description
Objective
Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was first discovered in the search for retroviruses causing cancer in 1981. Shortly afterwards, HTLV-2 was also isolated. Although HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 share similar genome structure, routes of transmission, and replication pattern, they differ in epidemiology and disease associations. Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects less than 5% of patients infected with the HTLV-I virus. Recently, a large body of literature supports other inflammatory manifestations, some neurological such as myositis, due to HTLV-1 infection. Studies of HLTV-2 clinical manifestations have largely been confounded by concomitant HIV-1 infection or IV drug abuse making the establishment of clear relationship with other manifestations such as neurological disease difficult. Most patients infected with HTLV remain asymptomatic throughout their lifetime. The purpose of this protocol is to study the natural history of HTLV infection by monitoring participants longitudinally. Additionally, we will attempt to define the virological and immunological changes of these viral infections. In addition, this protocol may be used to screen for other VIS protocols.
Study Population
Individuals sero-positive for HTLV, individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status, and healthy volunteers are eligible to participate in this protocol. Some individuals sero-positive for HTLV may have associated diseases including but not limited to HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and HTLV associated inflammatory disorders.
Design \& Outcome Measures
A longitudinal assessment of clinical, virological and immunological progression in HTLV related disease will be accomplished through periodic testing and evaluation. Asymptomatic seropositive individuals, those with sero-indeterminate HTLV serology and healthy volunteers may serve as controls. Longitudinal standardized neurological examinations will be performed. Longitudinal samples of serum, plasma, and lymphocytes may be obtained from participants. Lumbar punctures may be performed on all participants. These samples will be used for virological and immunological assays. A focus is on the relationships between the characteristics of viral infection, the immune response, and the genetic makeup.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| healthy volunteers | – | –At least 18 years old and have no history of any medical illness that may confound study results or make participation in this protocol impossible |
| individuals seropositive for HTLV | – | –Positive HTLV-1 ELISA followed by a positive Western Blot |
| individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status | – | –Positive HTLV ELISA but a Western Blot that only partially fulfills criteria |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 120 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Individuals sero-positive for HTLV, individuals with indeterminate HTLV sero-status, and healthy volunteers are eligible to participate in this protocol. Some individuals sero-positive for HTLV may have associated diseases including but not limited to HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and HTLV associated inflammatory myositis.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Test positive for HTLV infection (positive HTLV-1 ELISA followed by a positive Western blot)
- Positive HTLV ELISA but a Western Blot that only partially fulfills the above criteria (seroindeterminate)
- Have a family member/significant other who is HTLV positive, and may have been exposed to the virus
- Healthy volunteer AND
- Willingness to participate in the protocol evaluations and procedures.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Unwillingness or inability to participate in the protocol evaluations and procedures.
- The presence of any medical, social, or psychiatric conditions that in the opinion of the investigator may affect the safety of the patients or compliance with the protocol.
- Patients/healthy volunteers under the age of 18 are excluded.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
To characterize the baseline features of patients with HTLV infection with regards to clinical features, imaging studies, immunological markers, and viral studies.
Time frame: each study visit
To characterize the baseline features of patients with HTLV infection with regards to clinical features, imaging studies, immunological markers, and viral studies.
1 secondary outcome
Change in proviral load
Time frame: each study visit
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Nov 2026.
- Background: PubMed 2863442Gessain A, Barin F, Vernant JC, Gout O, Maurs L, Calender A, de The G. Antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type-I in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis. Lancet. 1985 Aug 24;2(8452):407-10. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92734-5.
- Background: PubMed 2881513Osame M, Matsumoto M, Usuku K, Izumo S, Ijichi N, Amitani H, Tara M, Igata A. Chronic progressive myelopathy associated with elevated antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type I and adult T-cell leukemialike cells. Ann Neurol. 1987 Feb;21(2):117-22. doi: 10.1002/ana.410210203.
- Background: PubMed 2351985Iwasaki Y. Pathology of chronic myelopathy associated with HTLV-I infection (HAM/TSP). J Neurol Sci. 1990 Apr;96(1):103-23. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(90)90060-z.
- NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web PageLink provided by the sponsor.
Related trials for HTLV-I Infection
RecruitingPhase 1
Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Lenalidomide, to the Usual Combination Chemotherapy Treatment ("EPOCH") for Adult T-Cell Leukemia-Lymphoma (ATLL)
Acute Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
RecruitingPhase 2
Dolutegravir Versus Dolutegravir in Combination With Tenofovir for the Treatment of HTLV-1 Infection
HTLV-1 Infection, HTLV I Associated Myelopathies
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Clinico-biological Characterization and Survival of Patients With Adult T-cell Leukemia / Lymphoma (ATL) and Patients Chronically Infected With the HTLV-1 Virus (HTLV-OBS)
Lymphoproliferation Induced by HTLV-1, HTLV-1 Adult T-cell Lymphoma / Leukemia
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Steven Jacobson, Ph.D. principal investigator
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of HTLV-I Infection and Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Christopher Y Itoh, M.D. ((301) 496-3825, christopher.itoh@nih.gov), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
To characterize the baseline features of patients with HTLV infection with regards to clinical features, imaging studies, immunological markers, and viral studies. (time frame: each study visit). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00001778, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2026.