An atypical T-cell lymphosarcoma in a calf with bovine immunodeficiency-like virus infection

An 11-month-old Holstein calf experimentally infected with bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) developed T-cell lymphosarcoma 5 months postinoculation, concurrent with progressive monocytosis. Tumors were found in the thymus, multiple lymph nodes, and brain. Tumor cells were CD2+, CD4-, CD8-T cells. Infectious BIV could be recovered from splenic tissue and blood mononuclear cells. Bovine leukemia virus was not present. Because this calf was part of an ongoing experiment on the pathogenesis of BIV infection, immune function data were also available both before and after lymphosarcoma developed. Neutrophil and monocyte function were normal, but lymphocyte blastogenesis was enhanced before the development of lymphosarcoma. Follicular hyperplasia in lymphoid tissues was also seen. This case raises the possibility that BIV infection may cause or be associated with some cases of atypical T-cell lymphosarcoma, without evidence of immune suppression at the time of tumor onset.