Atypical Lymphocytes (atypical + lymphocyte)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, presenting after 5 years of remission

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Tomonobu Ito MD
A 76-year-old woman with multiple edematous erythemas, erosions, and ulcers on the breast and abdomen was admitted to our hospital in June 2005. She had developed granulomatous bleeding lesions in the right nostril 6 years prior to her visit to our dermatology unit. She had been observed at the otorhinolaryngology department of our hospital, and a biopsy was taken from the nasal lesion. Computerized tomography and gallium scintigraphy (67Ga single-photon emission computed tomography) did not reveal any lesions corresponding to the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. The histologic examination of the nasal specimen rendered a diagnosis of natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal. Because imaging analysis indicated a small-sized tumor without metastases, oral prednisolone at 20 mg/day was administered for 1 month. The tumor decreased in size and disappeared after 19 months of low-dose steroid therapy. ,Five years after the initial treatment, the patient developed a fever of 38 °C with infiltrated erythemas and erosions on her breast. Erysipelas was initially suspected, but the antimicrobial agent did not show any effect and the multiple infiltrated erythemas and ulcers spread throughout her chest and abdomen (Fig. 1). The lymph nodes were not palpable. The right nasal cavity showed no granulomatous lesions or other signs of abnormality. The peripheral white blood cell count (3000/µL), red blood cell count (3.54 × 106/µL), and platelet count (112 × 103/µL) were reduced. Atypical lymphocytes were not observed. The serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH; 1770 U/L; normal, 224,454 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 140 U/L; normal, 10,30 U/L), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 57 U/L; normal, 3,29 U/L) levels were elevated. The soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor level was high (25,300 U/mL; normal, 167,497 U/mL). Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) serologic examination showed the immunoglobulin G (IgG) viral capsid antigen (VCA) at 1 : 320 and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) at 1 : 40. IgM VCA and EBV early antigen-diffuse restricted antibody (EA) IgA and IgG were not detectable. Histologic findings from the left chest skin showed a distribution of atypical lymphocytes from the upper dermis to the subcutaneous tissue, and many foamy cells which had phagocytosed the hemocytes (Fig. 2a,b). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the atypical lymphocytes were sCD3,, CD4,, CD8,, CD20,, CD56+, granzyme B+, and T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA-1) positive. Furthermore, EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBER), detected by in situ hybridization, exhibited a strong signal. The nasal lesions biopsied 6 years previously showed an identical staining pattern with the skin lesions immunohistochemically. Analysis of the T-cell receptor-, (TCR-,), TCR-,, and TCR-, gene did not reveal any clonal rearrangements, but the EBV gene was detected from the skin specimens by Southern blotting. Our patient's condition was diagnosed as a case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, but the patient had concomitantly developed hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). She was treated with a combination of steroid pulse therapy and chemotherapy (pirarubicin hydrochloride 30 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, vincristine 1 mg/m2, prednisolone 30 mg/m2, etoposide 80 mg/m2). After the first session of chemotherapy, the lesions on the chest and abdomen diminished, but, 2 weeks later, the skin lesions recurred, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced by HPS supervened. The patient died as a result of multiple organ failure induced by HPS. Figure 1. Multiple infiltrated erythemas, erosions, and ulcers on the breast and abdomen Figure 2. Histologic findings of a skin biopsy specimen from the left chest (hematoxylin and eosin staining). (a) Dense infiltration of atypical lymphocytes from the upper dermis to the subcutaneous tissue (×40). (b) Many foamy cells had phagocytosed the hemocytes (×400) [source]


Large B-cell lymphoma of the leg

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2001
Elsa Vasquez-del-Mercado MD
A 74-year-old Mexican man presented with an 18-month history of multiple, violaceous, coalescing, firm, tender nodules with an ulcer in the anterior aspect of the right leg (Fig. 1) and slightly infiltrated, ill-defined erythematous plaques affecting the left leg and both forearms. He had not received any treatment for his condition. Past medical history was relevant for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension without formal treatment and a history of heavy alcohol intake in his youth. A biopsy specimen of both plaque-type lesions of the forearm and tumorous lesions of the leg showed a diffuse, nonepidermotropic mononuclear infiltrate throughout the dermis and extending to the subcutis. The infiltrate was composed of pleomorphic, atypical, large mononuclear cells (Fig. 2). Immunostaining with CD20 was positive for the atypical cells while CD3 was positive for normal appearing lymphocytes, characterized as reactive T cells. Additional laboratory and image studies ruled out extracutaneous involvement. The diagnosis of primary cutaneous large B cell lymphoma of the leg (LBCLL) was made. The patient was initiated on radiotherapy localized to the right leg with a very good initial response, nevertheless resolution was not achieved and the plaques in the rest of the limbs remained unchanged. Thus, the patient started chemotherapy with CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Prednisone). He has currently finished his fourth cycle with this chemotherapy regimen. The tumorous lesions involuted leaving only residual hyperpigmentation (Fig. 3) and the plaques in the rest of the limbs disappeared, the area of the ulcer diminished considerably. There is still no evidence of extracutaneous involvement. Figure 1. Nodules and ulcer in the anterior aspect of the right leg Figure 2. Atypical lymphocytes, with large, pleomorphic nuclei and multiple nucleoles. Positivity for CD20 antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis (hematoxylin and eosin; X 600) Figure 3. Residual hyperpigmentation and granulation tissue after chemotherapy [source]


Albumin enhanced morphometric image analysis in CLL,

CYTOMETRY, Issue 1 2004
Matthew A. Lunning
Abstract BACKGROUND The heterogeneity of lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and blood film artifacts make morphologic subclassification of this disease difficult. METHODS We reviewed paired blood films prepared from ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (ETDA) samples with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA) from 82 CLL patients. Group 1 adhered to NCCLS specifications for the preparations of EDTA blood films. Group 2 consisted of blood films containing EDTA and a 1:12 dilution of 22% BSA. Eight patients were selected for digital photomicroscopy and statistical analysis. Approximately 100 lymphocytes from each slide were digitally captured. RESULTS The mean cell area ± standard error was 127.8 ,m2 ± 1.42 for (n = 793) for group 1 versus 100.7 ,m2 ± 1.39 (n = 831) for group 2. The nuclear area was 88.9 ,m2 ± 0.85 for group 1 versus 76.4 ,m2 ± 0.83 for group 2. For the nuclear transmittance, the values were 97.6 ± 0.85 for group 1 and 104.1 ± 0.83 for group 2. The nuclear:cytoplasmic ratios were 0.71 ± 0.003 for group 1 and 0.78 ± 0.003 for group 2. All differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS BSA addition results in the reduction of atypical lymphocytes and a decrease in smudge cells. BSA also decreases the lymphocyte area and nuclear area, whereas nuclear transmittance and nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio are increased. A standardized method of slide preparation would allow accurate interlaboratory comparison. The use of BSA may permit better implementation of the blood film-based subclassification of CLL and lead to a better correlation of morphology with cytogenetics and immunophenotyping. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Peripheral T-cell lymphoma presenting as myelofibrosis with the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2009
Masayuki Kikukawa
Myelofibrosis is often observed in chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD), but non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with diffuse myelofibrosis is rare. We describe an elderly case with peripheral T-cell lymphoma-unspecified (PTCL) presenting as diffuse myelofibrosis. Bone marrow biopsy revealed infiltration of atypical lymphocytes and diffuse myelofibrosis without any increase in megakaryocytes. To discuss the pathogenesis of fibrosis, we examined cytokines relative to fibrosis using immunostaining. The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was diffusely detected in the area of extracellular matrix of bone marrow. In addition, in situ hybridization revealed that infiltrating lymphoma cells expressed bFGF mRNA. Basic FGF, originally identified based on its mitogenicity for fibroblasts, has multiple potential, influencing neoangiogenesis, bone marrow fibrosis and the proliferation of tumor cells. Basic FGF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of myelofibrosis in the present case. [source]


Erythema multiforme-like lesions associated with lesional infiltration of tumor cells occurring with adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Tomoyuki Ohtani MD
A 66-year-old Japanese woman visited our hospital with a complaint of multiple papules on her trunk and extremities. She had a past medical history of appendicitis and blood transfusion 40 years earlier. For the last 10 years, she had noticed multiple, gradually enlarging papulonodular lesions with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities. ,Physical examination revealed multiple, violaceous papules or nodules, less than 10 mm in diameter, with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities (Fig. 1). The results of routine laboratory examinations, including blood count, liver function, renal function, serum calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase, were within the normal range. The peripheral blood picture showed a small population of atypical lymphocytes below 1% of the total white blood cells. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) serology was positive. A microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from a nodule on the abdomen demonstrated diffuse infiltration of large pleomorphic T cells in the upper and middle dermis, although highly atypical lymphocytes, so-called flower cells, could not be recognized. Infiltrating lymphocytes were positive for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD45, but negative for CD8 and CD20, immunohistologically. Bone marrow biopsy also demonstrated the infiltration of lymphocytes expressing CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7, but not CD25. Southern blot analysis of the infiltrating cells in the skin revealed an integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in T cells. Clonal T-cell receptor , gene rearrangement was detected in skin and bone marrow biopsies. No abnormal mass or bone defect was detected by chest or abdominal computed tomographic scanning, systemic gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy, or chest radiography. On the basis of these data, the patient was diagnosed with smouldering-type adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Figure 1. Clinical features of adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL) skin lesions. Crusted, target-like, dark-red plaques on the lower legs ,The patient was started on topical steroid and electron beam radiation therapy (27 Gy/14 days). Five days after the start of irradiation, she noticed multiple patches of edematous erythema appearing on the trunk and extremities (Fig. 2). As it was initially suspected that these newly emerging erythema multiforme or toxic eruptions were caused by irradiation, therapy was interrupted. Anti-herpes simplex virus antibody was not checked because no typical herpes simplex lesions were noticed. The patient was not taking any systemic drugs. A skin biopsy was taken from a representative lesion on the chest. The pathologic specimen showed epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, marked edema, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells in the upper dermis. Infiltrating cells possessed abundant cytoplasm and large pleomorphic nuclei with distinct nucleoli (Fig. 3). These findings were consistent with the histopathologic findings of erythema multiforme, except for the atypical lymphoid cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the phenotype of the skin-infiltrating cells was identical to that of the atypical cells in the initial lesions. As the eruptions did not disappear in spite of the interruption of radiation, total skin irradiation was restarted. After completion of therapy, both the erythema multiforme-like lesions and the initial adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia nodules on the trunk and extremities had resolved, leaving brown pigmentation. The patient has been free of any recurrence of skin lesions or systemic symptoms for 6 years after the completion of total skin irradiation. Figure 2. Appearance of erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions. Edematous red plaques involving the breast Figure 3. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from (EM)-like lesions on the chest (hematoxylin and eosin staining). (a) Epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells and severe edema in the upper dermis (×100). (b) High-power magnification revealed that the dermal infiltration included atypical lymphoid cells with abundant cytoplasm, convoluted large nuclei, and distinct nucleoli (×400) [source]


Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, presenting after 5 years of remission

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Tomonobu Ito MD
A 76-year-old woman with multiple edematous erythemas, erosions, and ulcers on the breast and abdomen was admitted to our hospital in June 2005. She had developed granulomatous bleeding lesions in the right nostril 6 years prior to her visit to our dermatology unit. She had been observed at the otorhinolaryngology department of our hospital, and a biopsy was taken from the nasal lesion. Computerized tomography and gallium scintigraphy (67Ga single-photon emission computed tomography) did not reveal any lesions corresponding to the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. The histologic examination of the nasal specimen rendered a diagnosis of natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal. Because imaging analysis indicated a small-sized tumor without metastases, oral prednisolone at 20 mg/day was administered for 1 month. The tumor decreased in size and disappeared after 19 months of low-dose steroid therapy. ,Five years after the initial treatment, the patient developed a fever of 38 °C with infiltrated erythemas and erosions on her breast. Erysipelas was initially suspected, but the antimicrobial agent did not show any effect and the multiple infiltrated erythemas and ulcers spread throughout her chest and abdomen (Fig. 1). The lymph nodes were not palpable. The right nasal cavity showed no granulomatous lesions or other signs of abnormality. The peripheral white blood cell count (3000/µL), red blood cell count (3.54 × 106/µL), and platelet count (112 × 103/µL) were reduced. Atypical lymphocytes were not observed. The serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH; 1770 U/L; normal, 224,454 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 140 U/L; normal, 10,30 U/L), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 57 U/L; normal, 3,29 U/L) levels were elevated. The soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor level was high (25,300 U/mL; normal, 167,497 U/mL). Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) serologic examination showed the immunoglobulin G (IgG) viral capsid antigen (VCA) at 1 : 320 and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) at 1 : 40. IgM VCA and EBV early antigen-diffuse restricted antibody (EA) IgA and IgG were not detectable. Histologic findings from the left chest skin showed a distribution of atypical lymphocytes from the upper dermis to the subcutaneous tissue, and many foamy cells which had phagocytosed the hemocytes (Fig. 2a,b). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the atypical lymphocytes were sCD3,, CD4,, CD8,, CD20,, CD56+, granzyme B+, and T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA-1) positive. Furthermore, EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBER), detected by in situ hybridization, exhibited a strong signal. The nasal lesions biopsied 6 years previously showed an identical staining pattern with the skin lesions immunohistochemically. Analysis of the T-cell receptor-, (TCR-,), TCR-,, and TCR-, gene did not reveal any clonal rearrangements, but the EBV gene was detected from the skin specimens by Southern blotting. Our patient's condition was diagnosed as a case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, but the patient had concomitantly developed hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). She was treated with a combination of steroid pulse therapy and chemotherapy (pirarubicin hydrochloride 30 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, vincristine 1 mg/m2, prednisolone 30 mg/m2, etoposide 80 mg/m2). After the first session of chemotherapy, the lesions on the chest and abdomen diminished, but, 2 weeks later, the skin lesions recurred, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced by HPS supervened. The patient died as a result of multiple organ failure induced by HPS. Figure 1. Multiple infiltrated erythemas, erosions, and ulcers on the breast and abdomen Figure 2. Histologic findings of a skin biopsy specimen from the left chest (hematoxylin and eosin staining). (a) Dense infiltration of atypical lymphocytes from the upper dermis to the subcutaneous tissue (×40). (b) Many foamy cells had phagocytosed the hemocytes (×400) [source]


Performance evaluation of the PENTRA 60C+ automated hematology analyzer and comparison with the ADVIA 2120

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
K. GUERTI
Summary The PENTRA 60C+ hematology analyzer provides a complete blood cell (CBC) count, including a five-part differential (5-DIFF) count and two leukocyte subpopulations, i.e. large immature cells (LIC's) and atypical lymphocytes (ALY's). We evaluated its analytical performance and assessed agreement with the ADVIA 2120, in order to install the analyzer in a small satellite hematology laboratory. First we assessed repeatability, reproducibility and carry-over to evaluate the analytical performance. Then we used Pearson correlation coefficients, Passing and Bablok regression analysis and a graphical approach (n = 209) to evaluate agreement with the ADVIA 2120. Repeatability and reproducibility were excellent for the majority of CBC and 5-DIFF count parameters. Carry-over was negligible. Our data showed very good correlation for most CBC count parameters. Lower correlation coefficients were observed for red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular volume and mean platelet volume. As compared to the ADVIA 2120, the 5-DIFF count performed very well. Agreement was poorer for low-level eosinophils and basophils. Furthermore, the PENTRA 60C+ was equally able to identify pathological blood samples through the determination of LIC's and ALY's. Therefore, the PENTRA 60C+ is an eligible blood cell counter to be operational in a satellite laboratory setting. [source]


Gallbladder wall thickening in mononucleosis syndromes

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 6 2001
Kaoru Yamada MD
Abstract Purpose We used sonography to measure gallbladder wall thickness in patients with mononucleosis syndromes and then evaluated laboratory data, spleen size, and clinical evolution to assess any relationship between gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) and the severity of disease. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, sonograms, and sonographic reports of 39 patients who were diagnosed with mononucleosis syndromes on the basis of fever, tonsillopharyngitis, cervical adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes. All 39 were included in the study. The gallbladder wall thickness in each patient was sonographically determined. GBWT was defined as a wall thickness exceeding 3 mm. We assessed the laboratory data and clinical evolution in each patient, and the differences between patients with and without GBWT were statistically analyzed. Results Six patients (15%) had GBWT. The mean atypical lymphocyte count ± standard deviation (SD) in the patients with GBWT (1,830/,l ± 1,000/,l) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (1,140/,l ± 660/,l; p < 0.05). The mean total serum protein and serum albumin levels in the patients with GBWT (6.6 mg/dl ± 0.7 mg/dl and 3.7 mg/dl ± 0.5 mg/dl, respectively) were significantly lower than those in patients without GBWT (7.3 mg/dl ± 0.4 mg/dl and 4.1 mg/dl ± 0.3 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). The duration of hospitalization in the patients with GBWT (14 ± 8.5 days) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (8 ± 3.5 days; p < 0.05). Conclusions GBWT in mononucleosis syndromes may be a sign of the severity of the illness and when present indicates the need to carefully monitor the clinical course. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:322,325, 2001. [source]


Hydroa-like lymphoma with CD56 expression

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Katherine Doeden
Hydroa-like lymphoma is an extremely rare and aggressive lymphoma described in children from Latin American countries (Mexico, Guatemala and Peru) and Asia (Japan, Korea and Taiwan). Clinically, patients present with vesicles, ulcers and scars occurring on both sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed areas. In contrast to classical hydroa vacciniforme, hydroa-like lymphoma is associated with systemic lymphoma of T-cell type that expresses either CD4 or CD8. We report the findings from two unusual cases of hydroa-like lymphoma that, unlike the cases described thus far in the literature, express CD56 and resemble natural killer cell lymphomas. Two 9-year-old boys presented with clinical histories of waxing and waning ulcerative blistering lesions since 3 years of age. Histological examination of skin biopsies from both cases showed periappendigeal infiltrates of atypical lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the cells were highlighted by markers for CD3, CD56 and CD30, but did not express CD4 and CD8. Both patients were alive with disease 1 year later. Hydroa-like lymphoma with natural killer-cell phenotype may have a similar outcome to T-cell derived hydroa-like lymphoma, but the prognosis appears to be better than classic NK lymphomas, which in general behave in an aggressive fashion. [source]


Lymphomatoid papulosis with CD1a+ dendritic cell hyperplasia, mimicking Langerhans cell histiocytosis

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Chris H. Jokinen
Although CD1a+ dendritic cells (DC) in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) have been well documented, the presence of large numbers of DC within lymphoid infiltrates can pose a diagnostic difficulty. We present a case of a 70-year-old man with a 3-year history of recurrent red papules and plaques on the extremities and trunk that was referred to our institution, with the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Skin biopsies showed a wedge-shaped cellular infiltrate in the superficial and deep dermis consisting of two cell populations. Most prominent were clusters of epithelioid cells with grooved nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, which stained with antibodies to CD1a and S-100. A second, less prominent population of atypical lymphocytes, some with enlarged, hyperchromatic and convoluted nuclei, were intermixed. The latter were positive for CD30, CD3 and CD5 and negative for CD20, CD34, CD68, ALK-1 and TdT. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies confirmed a clonal T-cell population, which with the clinical history was consistent with the diagnosis of lymphomatoid papulosis. While previous studies have shown an increased density of dermal DC in CTCL, we believe that this represents the first report of an unusually florid DC proliferation mimicking Langerhans cell histiocytosis and masking a lymphoproliferative disorder. [source]


Secondary Syphilis Presenting as Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma in an HIV-Positive Patient

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
A. Laungani
We present the case of an HIV-positive 38-year-old Caucasian male with a history of fevers, chills, and disseminated nonpruritic erythematous papules that began on his abdomen. An initial skin biopsy revealed a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate at the dermoepidermal junction, exocytosis of atypical lymphocytes, and minimal spongiosis. Immunohistochemistry showed increased CD8-positive cells but only scattered CD30-positive cells. PCR analysis demonstrated T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement. RPR, blood and tissue cultures were all negative. The patient was thought to have a cytotoxic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Over time, the lesions progressed to the palms and soles and the patient remained febrile. Repeat biopsy demonstrated a lichenoid interface dermatitis with a superficial and deep perivascular, interstitial, and periadnexal lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and the formation of epithelioid granulomas throughout the dermis. The epidermis showed blurring of the dermoepidermal junction, spongiosis, and exocytosis of lymphocytes and neutrophils. Few spirochetes were demonstrated by Steiner stain. Repeat RPR and FTA-Abs serologies were positive. The patient was diagnosed with late secondary syphilis and was successfully treated with benzathine penicillin. This case demonstrates that atypical lymphoid infiltrates can simulate mycosis fungoides in an HIV-positive patient with secondary syphilis and also reiterates that syphilis is a great mimicker of other entities. [source]


Lymphomatoid Papulosis Presenting With B-Cell Lymphoma: A New Association?

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
A. Galan
Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, characterised by recurrent crops of necrotic self-healing papules and nodules. Although chronic, LyP typically has a benign clinical course in the majority of cases. Histologically, a malignant appearing T-cell lymphoid infiltrate is seen. The atypical cells often resemble the cerebriform cells of mycosis fungoides or Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately 10,20% of the patients go on to develop lymphomas, including mycosis fungoides, CD30-positive anaplastic large cell and Hodgkin lymphoma. We report a case of LyP associated with a B-cell lymphoma. A 50-year-old male, presented with scattered erythematous scaly papules, some with central crust, located on the arms, trunk and leg of one-month duration. A skin biopsy revealed a polymorphous infiltrate with many large atypical lymphocytes, resembling Reed Sternberg cells. By immunohistochemistry, the large cells were positive for T-cell markers and CD30. Subsequently, he developed fever, night sweats and diffuse lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy showed a vaguely nodular proliferation of small to medium lymphocytes. Immunophenotypic and flow cytometric studies best characterised the process as mantle cell lymphoma. Although, LyP has been previously associated with lymphomas of above-mentioned types, this is an extremely unusual case presenting with a low-grade B-cell lymphoma. [source]


Atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
Cynthia M. Magro
Background:, Although subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma (SCTCL) is considered an aggressive form of lymphoma, some patients manifest a long waxing and waning phase unaccompanied by constitutional symptoms. Methods:, Twelve patients were prospectively encountered, presenting with a lymphocytic panniculitis accompanied by lymphoid atypia, although not fulfilling criteria for SCTCL. Clinical, histologic, phenotypic, and genotypic analyses were conducted. Results:, There were five men, one boy, and six women; none had symptoms compatible with lupus erythematosus or aggressive SCTCL. All but two had a waxing and waning course of years. Four patients had periodic cytopenias accompanied by fevers. While responding somewhat to prednisone, the lesions relapsed. In one patient, treatment with alemtuzumab (CAMPATH-1) led to complete lesional resolution with no recurrence. Light microscopy showed expansion of the interstices of the fat lobule by mildly atypical lymphocytes of the CD4 subset in 10 biopsies from eight patients; in the other four patients, there was an increase in CD8 lymphocytes. There was diminished expression of CD5 and/or CD7 in the majority of biopsies. Ten of 13 biopsies showed clonal T-cell receptor-, rearrangements. Conclusions:, We apply the term atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis to this distinctive form of lymphocytic panniculitis manifesting this light microscopic, phenotypic, and genotypic profile. [source]


Cutaneous pseudolymphoma in association with molluscum contagiosum in an elderly patient

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2003
D. Moreno-Ramírez
Background:, Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common cutaneous infection, which has been reported in association with cutaneous pseudolymphoma in few cases. Methods:, A 72-year-old woman with a nodule arising on the external canthus was reviewed. The lesion was surgically removed, and the histopathological study demonstrated an epidermal invagination filled by molluscum bodies and a diffuse infiltrate comprising atypical lymphocytes. Results:, Immunohistochemical stains disclosed predominance of T cells with positive CD30 labeling. Polymerase chain reaction failed to demonstrate clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor. Conclusion:, After ruling out systemic involvement, the patient was followed up for 2 years with no evidence of recurrence. We report this case to the best of our knowledge and discuss the literature about atypical clinical and histological presentations of MC. [source]


Adult T-cell lymphoma involving the leptomeninges associated with a spinal cord schwannoma

NEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
Toshiko Nagashima
Adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL-L) developing initially in the meninges is rare. An autopsy case of ATL-L with an acute onset of meningitis and generalized lymphadenopathy in association with a cervical cord schwannoma is reported here. A 78-year-old woman with sensori-motor weakness of both arms over a 1-year period, developed febrile episodes and drowsiness with neck stiffness. Lumbar puncture revealed an increased protein content (161 mg/dL) and increased cell count (463/3) consisting of 99% of lymphocytes which contained atypical lymphocytes with multilobulated nuclei (,flower cells'), which are characteristic of ATL-L. Viral titers were positive only for HTLV-I antibodies (serum 3 640: CSF 3 16). Biopsy of an enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node revealed malignant lymphoma of the T-cell type. Brain MRI was negative, whereas an intradural extramedullary mass was found at the C4 level. With a diagnosis of ATL-L stage IV, chemotherapy was commenced, which was effective in reducing the generalized lymphadenopathy as well as the cervical mass and restoring the CSF findings to normality. The cervical cord mass was verified to be a solitary schwannoma, and ATL-L involvement was found not only in the leptomeninges, but also within the cervical cord schwannoma. [source]


Fatal infectious mononucleosis with evidence suggestive of the development of B cell lymphoma

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2003
Kenzo Hiroshima
A 4-year-old girl presented to a local hospital in August 1999 with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. A diagnosis of Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) infection was made and the patient was treated with corticosteroids. One month later she developed dyspnea secondary to tonsilar swelling, and underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Her dyspnea increased, however, and by mid September she required mechanical ventilation. Six weeks later, she was transferred to Chiba Children's Hospital (Chiba, Japan). Despite vigorous treatment, she died within four weeks of admission. At autopsy, microscopic examination revealed numerous histiocytes with frequent hemophagocytosis in her lungs, liver, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. The tentative diagnosis was EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBVAHS). A proliferation of atypical lymphocytes was observed in the lymph nodes, the majority of which stained positive with CD79a antibody. A whitish nodule, 8 mm in diameter, was noted in her right ovary. It consisted of a proliferation of pleomorphic lymphoid cells expressing CD79a antigen. In situ hybridization detected EBV RNA within CD79a antigen-positive cells in the lungs, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the right ovary. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of DNA from the ovarian nodule demonstrated a monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene indicating that it consisted of a clone of B lymphocytes. We suggest that EBVAHS develops into polyclonal and monoclonal lymphoproliferative disorder in a short period, and that EBVAHS is a preneoplastic condition that may result in B cell lymphoma. [source]


CD52 expression in hairy cell leukemia

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Michael M. Quigley
Abstract Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and circulating atypical lymphocytes with circumferential cytoplasmic projections. Although uncommon, HCL cases refractory to standard therapy occur, and effective alternatives are limited. There is evolving literature supporting monoclonal antibody therapy in the treatment of B-cell lymphoid malignancies, including anti-CD52 (Campath-1H, alemtuzumab). We have examined nine cases of HCL and one case of HCL variant by flow cytometry for CD52 expression. All cases expressed CD52 antigen in 92,100% of the malignant cells. The demonstration of CD52 antigen expression on HCL cells provides the rationale for the use of alemtuzumab in refractory HCL. Am. J. Hematol. 74:227,230, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The value of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) immunoreactivity in diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia,

APMIS, Issue 3 2005
HAMPAR AKKAYA
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and circulating atypical lymphocytes with circumferential cytoplasmic projections. We investigated the specificity and the sensitivity of anti-TRAP antibody immunoreactivity in 57 cases of HCL. We found that there is a statistically highly significant difference between TRAP immunoreactivities of the study and the control groups, and HCL can be diagnosed by TRAP immunoreactivity in bone marrow trephine biopsy materials with a specificity of 98.27 % and a sensitivity of 100%. [source]


Rare occurrence of CD30+ circulating cells in patients with cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a study of nine patients

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
O. Dereure
SummaryBackground The presence of a significant percentage of circulating atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood has already been demonstrated in systemic CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which implies that a leukaemic component may be present in this subset of lymphomas. However, no similar data are available for the cutaneous counterpart of this particular lymphoproliferation. Objectives To assess the presence of atypical cells, CD30+ lymphocytes and of a dominant T-cell clone in peripheral blood in a series of patients with cutaneous CD30+ ALCL. Materials and methods Nine patients with either primary (four) or secondary (five) cutaneous CD4+ CD30+ ALCL were selected. The percentage of CD30+ CD4+ lymphocytes among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by flow cytometry and the presence of a dominant circulating T-cell clone was assessed by polymerase chain reaction targeting the T-cell receptor , chain. A control group composed of apparently healthy individuals was similarly studied at the same time. Results The mean percentage of CD30+ cells in PBMC was slightly higher in patients than in controls (3·9% vs. 2·7%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Only two patients displayed more than 5% CD30+ cells, both of whom had a minor tumour burden. A dominant circulating T-cell clone was detected in only three cases, including these two latter patients. Conclusions The occurrence of a significant percentage of CD30+ CD4+ circulating cells is rare in active cutaneous CD30+ ALCL, either primary or secondary. This percentage is not related to the apparent skin tumour burden but a significant figure appeared to be correlated with the detection of a dominant T-cell clone in peripheral blood. Overall, these data show that, unlike mycosis fungoides, peripheral blood involvement seems infrequent in cutaneous CD30+ ALCL. The hypothesis that a high percentage of CD30+ circulating cells might be related to the presence of a cryptic systemic disease cannot be ruled out. [source]