Erythema nodosum as an atypical dermatological manifestation of HTLV-1 infection: A case report and literature review

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Dec;110(4):116551. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116551. Epub 2024 Oct 5.

Abstract

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of several pathologies, and some of them are not investigated, resulting in a lack of literature that impacts the correct diagnosis. Skin manifestations, such as HTLV-1-associated infectious dermatitis (IDH), are common in patients living with HTLV-1 but could not be the only one. Here, we report for the first time a patient infected with HTLV-1, without previous diagnosis of HTLV-1-related diseases, presenting erythema nodosum (EN). Given the patient's long-term asymptomatic carrier status, the emergence of EN underscores the importance of considering HTLV-1 in the differential diagnosis when encountering EN, especially in endemic regions.

Keywords: Differential diagnosis; Erythema nodosum; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; Prednisone; Skin manifestations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema Nodosum* / diagnosis
  • Erythema Nodosum* / virology
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Infections* / complications
  • HTLV-I Infections* / diagnosis
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / virology