Is crusted (Norwegian) scabies a marker of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma in human T lymphotropic virus type I-seropositive patients?

J Infect Dis. 1997 Oct;176(4):1090-2. doi: 10.1086/516518.

Abstract

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-induced immunosuppression has been suggested to explain the occurrence of crusted scabies in HTLV-I-infected patients. HTLV-I is the etiologic agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Crusted scabies diagnosed in 6 HTLV-I-seropositive patients was studied to look for an association with ATL. Four of the 6 either had concomitant ATL when crusted scabies was diagnosed or developed ATL a few months later. These findings suggest that the occurrence of crusted scabies in patients seropositive for HTLV-I could represent a sign of marked immunosuppression related to ATL.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / immunology
  • Male
  • Scabies / diagnosis*
  • Scabies / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • HTLV-I Antibodies