Progressive nemaline rod myopathy in a woman coinfected with HIV-1 and HTLV-2

Mt Sinai J Med. 1993 May;60(3):242-6.

Abstract

Nemaline-rod myopathy was recently reported in eight young males infected with human immune deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). A 41-year-old woman had a 2-year history of progressive proximal-muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy demonstrated the presence of nemaline rods, predominantly in type 1 fibers. She was coinfected with HIV-1 and HTLV-2, as evidenced by positive polymerase chain reaction and serology. There was no lymphopenia or CD4 lymphopenia, despite an abnormal T-cell subset ratio, high CD8 count, skin anergy, and depressed in vitro response to mitogens. This case raises the possibility that dual infection may play a role in the pathogenesis of the rare nemaline-rod myopathies of HIV-infected patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV-1*
  • HTLV-II Infections / complications*
  • HTLV-II Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology*
  • Myofibrils / pathology