Chlamydophila psittaci is viable and infectious in the conjunctiva and peripheral blood of patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma: results of a single-center prospective case-control study.
Ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma (OAML) is linked to Chlamydophila psittaci (Cp) infection. Viability and infectivity of Cp, demonstrated by growth in culture, has not been yet investigated in these patients. We conducted a single-center prospective case-control study to assess the prevalence, viability and infectivity of Cp in 20 OAML patients and 42 blood donors registered in a 6-month period. The presence of Cp in conjunctival swabs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients and donors was assessed by TETR-PCR and in vitro cultures. From an epidemiological point of view, OAML patients often resided in rural areas, and reported a history of chronic conjunctivitis and prolonged contact with household animals (85% vs. 38% of donors; p = 0.00001). Cp was detected in lymphoma tissue in 15 (75%) patients. Cp DNA was detected in conjunctival swabs and/or PBMC from 10 (50%) patients and in PBMC from 1 (2%) donor (p = 0.01). Viability and infectivity of Cp, demonstrated by growth in culture, were confirmed in conjunctival swabs and/or PBMC from 5 (25%) patients, but not in donors (p = 0.002). This prospective study demonstrates, for the first time, that Cp present in the conjunctiva and PBMC of OAML patients is capable to grow and be isolated in cell cultures. Cp infection is common in OAML patients and exceptional in blood donors. Epidemiological data of OAML patients (prolonged contact with household animals and chronic conjunctivitis) are consistent with Cp exposure risk.
Unit of Lymphoid Malignancies, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. andres.ferreri@hsr.it
Andrés J M
AJ
Ferreri
Riccardo
R
Dolcetti
Giuseppina P
GP
Dognini
Lucia
L
Malabarba
Nadia
N
Vicari
Elisa
E
Pasini
Maurilio
M
Ponzoni
Maria Giulia
MG
Cangi
Lorenza
L
Pecciarini
Antonio Giordano
AG
Resti
Claudio
C
Doglioni
Silvano
S
Rossini
Simone
S
Magnino
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000382:microbiology; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D004269:DNA, Bacterial