# Isolated Neuropathic Bladder Associated With Human T-lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection Precipitating Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis: A Case Report

**Authors:** Takahiro Minamii, Takahiro Nakajima, Shinpei Mizuki, Yohei Kanzawa, Naoto Ishimaru

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81079 · Cureus · 2025-03-24

## TL;DR

A 71-year-old woman with undiagnosed HTLV-1 developed severe kidney infection and kidney failure, highlighting the link between HTLV-1, urinary issues, and kidney disease.

## Contribution

This case report identifies isolated neuropathic bladder as a rare manifestation of HTLV-1 leading to acute focal bacterial nephritis.

## Key findings

- The patient had HTLV-1 infection, neuropathic bladder, and acute focal bacterial nephritis.
- She developed severe acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis and chronic kidney disease.
- The case emphasizes the need to consider HTLV-1 and urinary dysfunction in patients with acute kidney issues.

## Abstract

A 71-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection presented with fever, urinary difficulties, acute abdominal pain, and severe acute kidney injury (AKI). Diagnostic evaluations confirmed acute pyelonephritis (APN) and acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN). Despite antibiotic treatment, she required temporary hemodialysis and eventually developed chronic kidney disease. This case highlights the importance of considering APN and AFBN as differential diagnoses in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and severe AKI. It also underscores the need to investigate predisposing conditions. Notably, neuropathic bladder can be an isolated neurogenic manifestation of chronic HTLV-1 infection. Therefore, a thorough assessment of urinary dysfunction is essential in patients with APN and chronic HTLV-1 infection.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (MONDO:0005801), acute pyelonephritis (MONDO:0003529), acute kidney injury (MONDO:0002492), chronic kidney disease (MONDO:0005300), neuropathic bladder (MONDO:0001445)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Neuropathic Bladder (MESH:D001750), fever (MESH:D005334), urinary dysfunction (MESH:D001745), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746), chronic kidney disease (MESH:D051436), APN (MESH:D011704), HTLV-1 infection (MESH:D015490), AFBN (MESH:D011472), AKI (MESH:D058186)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12017253/full.md

## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12017253/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12017253