Adverse Lipid Profiles and Increased Cardiovascular Risks in People with HAM/TSP.

The human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) affects millions globally, notably in Brazil. The classical neurological presentation of this infection is HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). There is limited information on its association with lipid disorders and cardiovascular risks. Here, we compare the lipid profile of 30 people with HTLV-1 and HAM/TSP to 73 people with HTLV-1 without evidence of HAM/TSP from a Brazilian reference center between July 2021 and September 2023. People with HAM/TSP had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol than people without HAM/TSP. In addition, people with HAM/TSP had a sixfold risk increase for elevated LDL. Therefore, patients with HAM/TSP show an adverse lipid profile, indicating higher dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risks. Regular lipid monitoring in this group is recommended.