It remains highly unlikely due to several observations: 1- FHIT methylation was independent of proviral load, 2- non-infected cells (CD25- and CD19-) harbored methylated FHIT to the same extend as infected cells (arguing against the dilution effect), 3- gDNA extracted from nails was positive for FHIT methylation, and 4- the low number of FHIT methylated samples in asymptomatic carriers and TSP/HAM patients, who are infected with HTLV-I. This evidence concerns the gene CD19 and tropical spastic paraparesis.