Israel Medical Association Journal

Human T-cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV) was first described in 1980 as a retrovirus known by its ability to infect CD4 T cells or macrophages, leading to a chronic infection that may develop into adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and chronic progressive myelopathy known as HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) [1]. Viral transmission occurs from unprotected sexual intercourse, vertical transmission, and contact with a contaminated blood sample. There is evidence of an association between HTLV-1 infection and rheumatic diseases [2,3].

Neonatal lupus erythematosus is an uncommon transplacentally Acquired Autoimmune Disorder. The most common clinical manifestations are skin rash, congenital atrioventricular block, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Usually, the skin rash resembles subacute cutaneous lupus, but different forms of rash have been reported in Neonatal lupus erythematosus and some are rare forms. NLE should be suspected in babies with atypical skin lesions, even if present at birth.