Cytomegalovirus infection associated with clonal proliferation of T-cell large granular lymphocytes: causal or casual?

Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2003 Apr 1;142(1):77-9. doi: 10.1016/s0165-4608(02)00739-2.

Abstract

Clonal proliferation of T-cell large granular lymphocytes (LGL) is an indolent disorder characterized by splenomegaly, lymphocytosis and frequent manifestations of immune disturbances. The LGL are CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(+) CD56(-). The clonality of the tumor cell population is often only demonstrable by T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement study because chromosomal abnormality is distinctly rare. We describe a case of T-cell LGL leukemia that presented initially as cytomegalovirus infection. The leukemic LGL are shown to be clonal by both TCR gene rearrangement and chromosomal studies. They persist after subsidence of the cytomegalovirus infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • CD56 Antigen / metabolism
  • CD8 Antigens / metabolism
  • Clone Cells / immunology
  • Clone Cells / pathology
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte*
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / etiology
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / pathology*
  • Lymphocytosis / diagnosis
  • Lymphocytosis / etiology
  • Lymphocytosis / pathology*
  • Male
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology*

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • CD56 Antigen
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta