Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder caused due to inflammation of the spinal cord especially on both the sides of the same level or segment. This inflammation occurs across the width of the spinal cord, thus affecting the myelin or fatty insulating material of the nerve cells. This inflammation can lead to interruption of the communication between the nerve fibers and the spinal cord. This disorder have a range of symptoms like from mild symptoms like general weakness, back pain to serious symptoms like paralysis, loss of bowel control. Transverse myelitis at an early stage is easy to treat leading to normal condition but at a later stage can lead to permanent disability to the body. Depending on which nerve will get damaged, corresponding part of the body will get affected. This disorder is seen in children as well as adults irrespective of the race or sex. It generally occurs in individuals between 10-19 years or adults between 30 - 40 years.
Transverse myelitis occurs due to viral infections. People suffering from HIV, Hepatitis A, rubella, pneumonia, herpes simplex can suffer from this disorder. Vaccinations of chicken pox and rabies or person suffering from syphilis are associated with this disorder. In certain cases, our body's immune system may damage the myelin. People suffering from cancer may develop auto immune disorder wherein the body's immune system may attack the body tissue thus causing inflammation and damage to myelin leading to transverse myelitis.Attacks of immune system on the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves can lead to scarring causing multiple sclerosis.Transverse myelitis can thus be one of the signs of multiple sclerosis.People suffering from arteriosclerosis or ischemic heart disease may lead to decreased oxygen of the blood vessel to the spinal cord tissues. This leads to inflammation of the nerve fibers causing transverse myelitis.
Malaria occurs due to parasite called Plasmodium that enters through mosquito bite. Malaria being a cause of transverse myelitis is rare as this disorder is caused due to viral infection.
answered by J M