Transverse Myelitis – Symptoms and Causes
Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological disorder. It involves inflammation of the spinal cord. This inflammation disrupts the communication between the nerves in the spinal cord. It can cause pain, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
The symptoms can appear suddenly, or they may develop gradually over several hours or days. The disorder can affect people of any age, gender, or race. However, it is more common in adults than in children.
The causes of transverse myelitis are not well understood. But it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. This means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells in the spinal cord.
This attack triggers inflammation. In some cases, transverse myelitis can also occur as a complication of certain viral infections. Such as herpes, influenza, and hepatitis.
What Causes Transverse Myelitis?
Transverse myelitis can develop without any clear cause, but researchers have identified several potential triggers. This condition, which involves inflammation of the spinal cord, often follows recovery from certain infections.
Many viruses have been linked to transverse myelitis. These include herpes viruses (which cause shingles and chickenpox), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, HIV, and enteroviruses like poliovirus.
Other viral connections include West Nile virus, echovirus, Zika, influenza, hepatitis B, and childhood illnesses such as mumps, measles, and rubella. Some viruses may not directly infect the spinal cord but instead trigger an abnormal immune response.
Bacterial infections associated with transverse myelitis include:
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis
- Actinomyces
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
Skin infections, gastroenteritis, and certain types of bacterial pneumonia can also lead to transverse myelitis. In rare cases, parasites and fungal infections may affect the spinal cord too.
Several inflammatory conditions appear to cause transverse myelitis:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can have transverse myelitis as its first sign or during a relapse. When related to MS, symptoms typically affect just one side of the body.
Neuromyelitis optica (also called Devic’s disease) causes inflammation around both the spinal cord and the optic nerve. When associated with this condition, transverse myelitis usually affects both sides of the body.
Patients might experience eye pain with movement and temporary vision loss, though some people have only repeated episodes of transverse myelitis without eye problems.
Autoimmune disorders like lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome may contribute to developing transverse myelitis. When connected to these disorders, it might signal neuromyelitis optica, which occurs more frequently in people with autoimmune diseases.
Vaccinations have occasionally been suggested as possible triggers. However, current evidence isn’t strong enough to recommend limiting any vaccines.
Sarcoidosis, a condition causing widespread inflammation, including in the spinal cord and optic nerve, can mimic neuromyelitis optica. Its symptoms typically develop more slowly, and its cause remains unknown.
