Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify HTLV-1 proviral load and the mRNA expression of cytokines and cellular receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.<h4>Results</h4>Total frequencies of CD4 + Tregs, as well as the IL10-producing CD4 + and CD8 + Treg subsets, were statistically higher in patients with HAM/TSP compared to asymptomatic HTLV-1-infected individuals. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is tropical spastic paraparesis.