Human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus-associated lymphoreticular neoplasia in Jamaica.
19 (34%) of 56 Jamaicans with lympho-proliferative neoplasia had antibody to the human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV) in their sera. 17 of those positive had either non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Of 16 consecutive patients presenting with NHL, 11 (69%) were HTLV seropositive. Virus-positive patients with NHL, among whom females were over-represented, had the clinical features and poor survival typical of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. HTLV-associated leukaemia/lymphoma is a distinct clinicopathological entity, and the high incidence in this series suggests that HTLV is an important cause of lymphoreticular neoplasia in Jamaica.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral