Similarities between Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (TSP) and neurolathyrism

In 1985 French investigators discovered the association of TSP with HTLV-I, a retrovirus discovered in USA in 1980. A few months after the French publication in 1985 TSP was also associated with HTLV-I in Colombia and Jamaica. In 1986 Japanese researchers published the association of HTLV-I with a similar syndrome and named the disease as HAM (HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy). Since 1988 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the conciliatory name TSP/HAM to both syndromes. Until the end of 1996 only 45% (1,261 of 2,811 cases) of TSPs were associated to HTLV-I. That means that more (55%) of TSPs remained idiopathic or at least HTLV-I seronegative. Neurolathyrism Neurolathyrism is a neurologic disorder caused by excessive ingestion of Lathyrus species. Lathyrism has been known since ancient times; epidemics have occurred in some regions, including Russia, southern Europe, the Middle East and India, particularly during times of famine. At these times increased consumption of Lathyrus sativus, L. cicera and Vicia sativa has been implicated. Horses, cattle, swine and birds have been affected.