Htlv-1-associated infective dermatitis Z22.6

Sweet, 1966

HTLV-1 (T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1)

Occurrence: mainly in countries with a high prevalence of HTLV-1, such as the southwest of Japan, the Caribbean islands and countries in Central Africa

Preferred in childhood, also in adulthood

Generalized, large-area, eczematous, scaly but also crust-covered skin lesions in HTLV-1 positives. The lesions resemble atopic or seborrhoeic eczema. In a high percentage (>60%) impetiginized changes in the nostrils of children were found. A recurrent pattern is characteristic. The overlapping skin infections characterize the dermatological-clinical picture.

Non-specific pattern of a superficial interstitial epidermotropic dermatitis (see also the clinical "eczematous" picture.

Medical history, clinical picture; positive HTLV-1 serology.

Pyoderma, seborrheic eczema, atopic eczema

The initial description by Sweet refers to the stage of the disease:

1. Sog. "Infect-like" stage: Rather localized clinical picture with clinical signs of the Impetigo contagiosa.
2. Exudative "eczema-like" stage: Disseminated clinical picture reminiscent of exudative atopic eczema.
3. Papular "eczema-like" stage: recurrent, generalized, fine-papular exanthema with retroauricular fissures, chronic blepharitis and otitis externa.

1. de Oliveira Mde F et al (2012) Infective dermatitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1: evaluation of 42 cases observed in Bahia, Brazil. Clin Infect Dis 54:1714-1719
2. Hlela C et al (2013) Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1- associated infective dermatitis in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. BMC Dermatol 13:11
3. Mahé A et al (2004) Human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus type 1- associated infective dermatitis in Africa: a report of five cases from Senegal
4. McGill NK et al (2012) HTLV-1-associated infective dermatitis: updates on the pathogenesis. Exp Dermatol 21):815-821
5. Okajima R et al (2013) Co-presentation of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and adult-onset infective dermatitis associated with HTLV-1 infection. Int J Dermatol 52:63-68
6. Oliveira PD et al (2013) Double integration band of HTLV-1 in a young patient with infective dermatitis who developed an acute form of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. J Clin Virol 56:163-166
7. Sweet RD (1966) A pattern of eczema in Jamaica. Br J Dermatol 78: 93-100
8. Tschachler E, Franschini G (1998) Infective dermatitis: a pabulum for human T-lymphotropic virus type I leukemogenesis? Arch Dermatol 134: 487-488
9. Torres-Cabala CA et al (2015) HTLV-1-associated infective dermatitis demonstrates low frequency of FOXP3-positive T-regulatory lymphocytes. J Dermatol Sci 77:150-155