CASE COMMUNICATIONS
IMAJ | volume 28
Journal 10, October 2026
pages: 672-674
Sjögren’s Disease and Asymptomatic Anti-Ro/Ss-A Antibodies with Neonatal Lupus Associated with HTLV Infection
1 Department of Medicine, Escola Bahiana de Medicina, Salvador-BA, Brazil
2 Department of Infectious Diseases, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
3 Department of Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Support, Medical School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Summary
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].