Cytomegalovirus-infected cells express Leu-M1 antigen. A potential source of diagnostic error.
The authors examined cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected tissues and Hodgkin's Disease (HD) cases with immunohistochemical assays for Leu-M1 and CMV. The cytologic characteristics were correlated with immunostaining patterns. Cytomegalovirus-infected cells in lymph node, lung, and esophagus sections showed Cowdry type A inclusions, and many had granular cytoplasmic inclusions. All infected cells showed nuclear staining with an anti-CMV antibody. Leu-M1 reacted with CMV-infected cells in cytoplasmic areas, particularly near the nucleus simulating the characteristic staining pattern of Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells. Cytoplasmic staining intensified as the intranuclear inclusions increased in size. Reed-Sternberg cells showed characteristic Leu-M1 positivity along the cell membrane and golgi zone. At times, Leu-M1 staining of CMV-infected cells was indistinguishable from that of R-S cells. None of the R-S cells reacted with the antibody to CMV. Recognition of the reactivity of Leu-M1 with CMV-infected cells is important in avoiding misdiagnosis of CMV lymphadenitis as HD.
Rushin
J M
JM
Laboratory Medicine Department, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Riordan
G P
GP
Heaton
R B
RB
Sharpe
R W
RW
Cotelingam
J D
JD
Jaffe
E S
ES
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016256:Lewis X Antigen