Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Malignant lymphoma in pleural effusions: an immunocytochemical cell surface analysis
J Guzman1, K J Bross, U Costabel
1Pathologisches Institut der Universitaet, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Insights
Immunocytochemical analysis of pleural effusions aids in identifying lymphoma cells, including B-cell non-Hodgkin
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Malignant pleural effusions can be challenging to diagnose.
- Lymphoma subtypes present unique diagnostic profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of immunocytochemistry in diagnosing lymphoma in malignant pleural effusions.
- To characterize cell surface antigen expression in various lymphoma subtypes within pleural effusions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nine malignant pleural effusions using peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry.
- Utilized a broad panel of monoclonal antibodies to detect cell surface antigens.
- Examined lymphoma subtypes including hairy-cell leukemia, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and plasmacytoma.
Main Results:
- B-cell lymphomas showed high percentages of kappa-positive B cells.
- Hairy cells reacted with CD20, CD25, HLA-DR, CD45, and HLA-1.
- Hodgkin cells reacted with CD15, CD20, CD25, CD30, Tü9, and OKT9.
- Plasmacytoma cells exhibited specific antigen profiles including lambda positivity.
Conclusions:
- Immunocytochemistry effectively identifies B lymphoma, Hodgkin, and hairy cells in pleural effusions.
- Non-malignant lymphocyte subsets in these effusions are similar to other effusions.
- This technique offers clear recognition of malignant cells in pleural fluid.
Abstract:
Nine malignant pleural effusions due to lymphoma were immunocytochemically analyzed with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase adhesive slide assay for detection of cell surface antigens using a broad panel of monoclonal antibodies. The study population included one case of hairy-cell leukemia; four cases of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL), low malignant grade; two cases of B-NHL, high malignant grade; one case of Hodgkin's disease; and one case of plasmacytoma. In the cases of B cell lymphoma, high percentages of B cells with monoclonal staining for kappa were found. In hairy-cell leukemia, the hairy cells reacted with the monoclonal antibodies CD20, CD25, HLA-DR, CD45, and HLA-1. In Hodgkin's disease, the Hodgkin cells reacted with CD15, CD20, CD25, CD30, Tü9, and OKT9. The plasmacytoma case showed tumor cells negative for CD20, HLA-DR, and CD45; partially positive for CD38; positive for HLA-1; monoclonally positive for lambda; and negative for heavy-chain immunoglobulins. The analysis of nonmalignant lymphocyte subpopulations revealed CD4/CD8 ratios similar to those in effusions of other etiologies. The percentages of natural killer cells (Leu-7-positive and CD16-positive) were small and also similar to percentages in effusions of other etiologies. We conclude that immunocytochemical analysis of pleural effusions allows a clear recognition of B lymphoma cells and also of Hodgkin and hairy cells and that the distribution of nonmalignant lymphocyte subsets is indistinguishable from those found in other malignant and nonmalignant effusions.
Related Concept Videos
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion
Cell-surface Signaling
Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description
Types of Receptors: Cell Surface Receptors

