Erythema multiforme in a patient with T cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
A patient with T4+ (helper-inducer) T cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed an erythema multiforme-like eruption, the diagnosis of which was supported by routine light microscopic findings. Immunopathologic studies using monoclonal antibodies demonstrate that despite an overwhelming majority of leukemic T4+ cells in the peripheral blood and dermal infiltrate, the predominant cells in the epidermal infiltrate are T8+ (cytotoxic-suppressor) cells. These findings are different from those seen in epidermotropic T cell leukemic infiltrates and are similar to those previously reported in erythema multiforme. Thus it is likely that the leukemic T4+ cells are participating in this cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction along with residual, normal T8+ cells.
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II