Human-immunodeficiency-virus-negative, human-herpes-virus-8-negative abdominal cavity primary effusion lymphoma

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an unusual class of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is characterised by lymphomatous effusions in body cavities, but no associated mass lesions. It is usually associated with an immunodeficient state most often with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We describe a case of a man with HIV-negative, human-herpes-virus-8 (HHV8)-negative PEL, with a history of heavy alcohol intake. The abdominal cavity was the only area involved; no solid tumour masses were observed on scanning, and the bone-marrow investigations were normal. The ascites contained numerous pleomorphic lymphoid, lymphoplasmacytoid cells of B-cell origin. The immunophenotyping was moderately positive for CD 38 and 138, and strongly positive for Ki 67. It is postulated that the immunosuppressed state in this patient may have been caused by the long history of heavy alcohol intake.