BACKGROUND: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic amongst the Aborigines of the Northern Territory of Australia. HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) has been associated with this infection. In general population, isolated neurogenic bladder dysfunction in HTLV-1-infected individuals without HAM/TSP has been reported, and the HTLV-1 proviral load has been found to be higher in such patients compared with asymptomatic carriers. In solid organ transplantation, few cases of HAM/TSP have been reported worldwide, but not an isolated neurogenic bladder.CASE: A 50-year-old indigenous women from Alice Springs with end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy with no prior history of bladder dysfunction received a cadaveric renal allograft following which she developed recurrent urinary tract infections. The recipient was seropositive for HTLV-1 infection. HTLV-1 status of donor was not checked. Urodynamic studies revealed stress incontinence and detrusor overactivity without urethral intrinsic sphincter deficiency. She had no features of myelopathy. There was elevation of the serum and cerebrospinal fluid HTLV-1 proviral load. The magnetic resonance imaging myelogram was normal. Pyelonephritis was diagnosed based on clinical features, positive cultures, and renal allograft biopsy. Continuous suprapubic catheter drainage helped preventing further episodes of allograft pyelonephritis in spite of chronic colonization of the urinary tract.CONCLUSION: Isolated bladder dysfunction is a rare manifestation of HTLV-1 infection and is probably associated with high proviral loads. This may adversely affect renal allograft and patient outcomes.
Australia Female