title: T-cell rich, Ki-1-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: a previously undescribed variant following liver transplant.
abstract: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a consequence of the immunosuppressive therapy following organ transplant. We describe a patient who developed PTLD seven years after liver transplant and while receiving cyclosporine and prednisone. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a paraspinal mass extending from T11 to L1. Microscopically, this was composed of a diffuse infiltrate of small to intermediate sized T-lymphocytes with clusters of large anaplastic tumor cells with amphophilic cytoplasm, large irregular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. A high mitotic rate and atypical mitotic figures were noted in the clusters of large cells. Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analysis failed identify either a monoclonal B-cell population or a T-cell population with aberrant expression of the T-cell surface markers. Strong positivity for CD30 and focal staining for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) of the large cells was seen. Leukocyte common antigen (LCA), cytokeratin, vimentin, monocyte/macrophage and B- and T-markers were negative. The small lymphoid cells were positive for CD3, MT-1 and UCHL-1. Based on the immunophenotypic and morphological evaluation, this was characterized as a T-cell rich PTLD. PCR analysis identified a monoclonal population of B-cells. This unusual case emphasizes the morphological and immunophenotypic diversity of PTLD. The utility of PCR analysis in the evaluation of PTLD is also demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO, USA.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bee
mesh_terms: D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D016572:Cyclosporine; D004247:DNA; D011239:Prednisolone