Related Experiment Videos
Cutaneous CD8 T cell infiltrates in advanced HIV infection
J Guitart1, D Variakojis, T Kuzel
1Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|October 27, 1999
Summary
Polyclonal CD8 T lymphocyte infiltrates in HIV patients can mimic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and are associated with poor prognosis, often leading to AIDS-related complications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are common in HIV patients, primarily B-cell types.
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is reported in HIV, but some conditions may be polyclonal lymphoid proliferations.
- HIV-related lymphoproliferative conditions require careful differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the experience with HIV patients presenting with possible CTCL at dermatology clinics.
- To evaluate clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings in HIV-infected patients with atypical T-cell cutaneous infiltrates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of HIV-infected patients with atypical T-cell cutaneous infiltrates.
- Histopathological analysis of cutaneous eruptions.
- Clonality testing for lymphoid infiltrates.
- Evaluation of clinical and laboratory findings.
Main Results:
- Nine patients with advanced HIV and cutaneous infiltrates resembling mycosis fungoides were observed.
- Infiltrates were composed of CD8(+) cells; clonality was not identified in tested cases.
- Eight of nine patients died within one year due to AIDS wasting syndrome or infections.
Conclusions:
- Polyclonal CD8 T lymphocyte infiltrates can occur in advanced HIV with CD4 lymphopenia.
- These infiltrates may clinically resemble CTCL but are associated with a poor prognosis.
- The condition indicates advanced HIV infection and carries a high mortality rate.