Abstract
A case of adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV) carrier associated with strongyloidiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis was reported. A 48-year-old female who traveled to Okinawa 15 years ago was admitted for further evaluation of abdominal fullness and diarrhea that had lasted for 6 years, and cough and sputum that had lasted for 3 years. Chest X-ray on admission revealed right pleural effusion, and strongyloides stercoralis were then detected in the stool. These symptoms except the cough and sputum were improved by treatment with mebendazole and piruvinium pamoate. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was then detected by 8 weeks culture of sputum, caused by pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, she was afflicted with primary hypothyroidism and tested positive for HTLV-1 antibody. No pathological lymphocytes were found in her peripheral blood so a diagnosis of ATLV carrier was made. It was suggested that the continuous infection of ATLV induced immunosuppression and was thereby important in the development of strongyloidiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis.
