Is human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 infection associated with hearing loss?. (29th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bakhshaee, Mehdi; Sorouri, Amirhossein; Shoeibi, Ali; Boustani, Reza; Golhasani‐Keshtan, Farideh; Amali, Amin; Rajati, Mohsen
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 125:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 956
• Page End: 960
• Publication Date: 2014-10-29
• Subjects: Human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 -- HTLV‐1–associated myelopathy and tropical spastic paraparesis -- hearing -- tinnitus -- vertigo; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.24982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives/Hypothesis: Human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) infection is endemic in the northeast area of Iran. Although various neurological disturbances have been reported in HTLV‐1 infection, possible audiovestibular involvement during this infection has not yet been studied. Study Design: Case control study. Methods: Sixty‐eight cases in three groups including 24 HTLV‐1–infected patients with HTLV‐1– associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) (group 1), 23 HTLV‐1–infected cases without clinical presentation (group 2), and 21 normal individuals (group 3) entered our study. A complete history of hearing‐related disorders and a profile of audiologic tests, including pure‐tone audiometry (PTA) with high frequencies, speech reception threshold (SRT), and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were taken. Results: Subjective audiovestibular complaints of participants showed a significant difference among HAM/TSP patients and the two other groups regarding hearing loss and tinnitus, but not vertigo or aural fullness. Hearing evaluation by SRT and PTA in all frequencies showed a significant difference between HAM/TSP patients (group 1) and the controls (group 3). The difference was also significant between asymptomatic cases (group 2) and the controls only in PTA frequencies above 4 kHz. Auditory brainstem‐evoked potential did not show any significant differences among the groups regarding latency of I, III, and V waves and interwave differences. Conclusions: HTLV‐1 infection, particularly in those with a clinical presentation, appears to accompany hearing loss. Based on the results of PTA and ABR tests, this study may suggest a cochlear source of hearing impairment rather than neural problems. Level of Evidence: 3b. Laryngoscope, 125:956–960, 2015