title: Large granular lymphocytosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A 74 year old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, hepatosplenomegaly, neutropenia, and peripheral blood lymphocytosis is described. The lymphocytes had a large granular morphology and expressed a CD3+ CD8+ Leu7+ surface antigen phenotype. They did not have natural killer cell function. Southern analysis of the lymphocyte DNA using two restriction enzymes showed a rearranged pattern for the T cell receptor beta chain gene, indicating a monoclonal lymphoproliferation. Large granular lymphocytosis is a rare and heterogeneous phenomenon, which has become more clearly characterised through the application of molecular biology techniques. Most cases appear to be forms of T cell leukaemia with a chronic benign course. The association between rheumatoid arthritis and large granular lymphocytosis is emphasised.
authors.affiliation: Leicester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samanta
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Nichol
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005260:Female; D015333:Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology