Fourteen patients with interstitial pneumonitis were investigated regarding the clinical and hematological features, various laboratory deta, complications, treatment regimens and prognosis. All were born in the Minamata and Ashikita area in Kumamoto Prefecture, where ATL and organic mercury poisoning are known to be endemic. Eleven out of 14 patients were positive for ATLA (ATL-associated antigen) antibody. This ratio (78.5%) is very high as compared with healthy individuals in some areas and the patients with bronchial asthma in Kumamoto City.
Some ATLA antibody positive patients with interstitial pneumonitis are compatible with smoldering ATL in clinical features.
This study indicates that the detection of ATLA antibody is necessary in patient with pulmonary complications in ATL endemic area.
