Primary effusion lymphoma. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare type of lymphoma that presents as an effusion, seldom with evidence of a solid neoplasm elsewhere; thus, cytology is the basic diagnostic method. It usually occurs in HIV-positive males with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and DNA sequences of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) are detected by molecular analysis. The distinct morphologic, immunophenotypic, molecular and clinical characteristics render this neoplasm a new pathologic entity.


METHODS
A 57-year-old, HIV-positive man presented to the hospital with ascites and absence of neoplasm on radiologic investigation. Cytologic evaluation of the ascitic fluid revealed the presence of highly atypical, pleomorphic lymphoid cells. Immunocytochemistry of the lymphoma cells was positive for CD45 (leukocyte common antigen), CD30 and epithelial membrane antigen antigens and negative for panB, panT and cytokeratin antigens. DNA sequences of HHV-8 were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA ploidy analysis showed aneuploidy. The patient died 5 months after the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional and ThinPrep (Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) cytology, in combination with immunocytochemistry and PCR for HHV-8 DNA sequences, can lead to an accurate diagnosis of PEL. DNA ploidy analysis confirms the aggressive nature of this neoplasm.
Ioakim-Liossi
Anna
A
Cytopathology Department, Laiko Hospital, Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Mikou
Panagiota
P
Botsoli-Stergiou
Efi
E
Petrakakou
Efthalia
E
Athanassiadou
Pauline
P
Kordosis
Theodoros
T
Panagiotakopoulos
George
G
Karakitsos
Petros
P
D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D018396:Mucin-1; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens