title: Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder: report of a case and discussion in light of the literature.
abstract: A case of autoimmune disease-associated lymphadenopathy (ADAL) with histological, immunophenotypic, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in situ hybridization, and genotypic analyses is presented. The patient had a well-documented history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and was found at autopsy to have massive lymphadenopathy, thymic enlargement, pulmonary nodules, and polyclonal serum dysproteinemia. Histological examination revealed a polymorphous lymphoid infiltrate containing many plasma cells, rare immunoblasts, and a pronounced arborizing vasculature. No foci of necrosis were found and there was no evidence of lymphocyte depletion. The plasma cells were immunophenotypically polyclonal and no EBV mRNA (EBER-1) or gene rearrangements were identified. The unusual gross features, which resembled a malignant lymphoproliferative process, as well as the unusual histological features make this case a notable addition to the spectrum of atypical lymphoproliferative disorders associated with an autoimmune disorder. We conclude that although reminiscent of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD), this case lacks the diagnostic features of AILD, and is, perhaps, best classified as an autoimmune disease-associated lymphadenopathy (ADAL).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical College, OH 45267-0529, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D012367:RNA, Viral