Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma in northeastern Brazil: a clinical, histopathologic, and molecular study.
The state of Bahia in the northeastern coast of Brazil is a region in which HTLV-I infection is endemic. This study investigated the characteristics of 28 HTLV-I-associated lymphomas/leukemias in this region. HTLV-I-infection diagnosis was based on serologic study, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in neoplastic tissue. The main clinical differences between these lymphomas and adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cases from other endemic areas were as follows. The mean age was 47 years; 20% of the cases occurred in young adults; and a predominance was found among male subjects (2:1), blacks, and of those of mixed race (96%). Histologically, 20 cases were T-cell pleomorphic leukemia/lymphoma, 5 were Mycosis fungoides-like cutaneous lymphoma, and 3 were CD30+ large-cell anaplastic lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated 4 cases of CD8+ lymphoma. Proviral genomic sequences were demonstrated by PCR in 9 lymph node biopsy specimens and in 3 skin biopsy specimens. Southern blot was performed and was positive in 8 cases.
Barbosa
H S
HS
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. hschaer@svn.com.br
Bittencourt
A L
AL
Barreto de Araújo
I
I
Pereira Filho
C S
CS
Furlan
R
R
Pedrosa
C
C
Lessa
G
G
Harrington
W
W
Galvão Castro
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies