Re: Interesting T-cell case

From: Ondrej Hrusak (Ondrej.Hrusak@lfmotol.cuni.cz)
Date: Tue Nov 19 2002 - 02:36:12 EST


Hello,
Lack of CD7 expression might point to HTLV1-driven proliferation. Is
that possible here?
Ondrej Hrusak

>I was looking for thoughts/opinions on a recent flow cytometry case.  The
>case is that of a 38 year old male who presented with vague complaints,
>fever, and malaise that was thought to have a possible viral/infectious
>etiology. During his brief admission, a CBC was reviewed due to the presence
>of leukocytosis (WBC-17,300/ul) with an absolute lymphocytosis (68%
>lymphocytes). Many of the lymphocytes were reactive/atypical, similar to
>those often seen with EBV infection. A Monospot was negative.
>
>Flow cytometry performed on the peripheral blood showed 92% T cells, 7% NK
>cells and <1% B cells. Of interest, there was a marked predominance of CD8
>(85%) and loss of expression of CD7. CD4 was present on 15% of cells and
>CD2, CD3, and CD5 were present in expected numbers with normal intensity.
>Because of the unusual loss of CD7 and predominance of CD8, the specimen was
>sent for PCR for TCR-gamma which apparently preliminary shows a clonal
>rearrangement.
>
>In the course of the patient's admission, the patient was found to be HIV
>positive (new diagnosis) and also had serologies suggestive of acute
>infection with CMV. EBV serologies were negative. The above-described flow
>findings have been well-described with EBV infection. In fact, in one of the
>recent articles on the Flow Cases Web site (www.flowcases.org), similar
>findings are described for a child with acute EBV infection. This child also
>had a positive clonal T cell rearrangement which subsequently disappeared
>along with the abnormal flow findings when the infection had cleared.
>
>Has anyone seen similar findings with either HIV and/or CMV infection. If
>so, should the patient be followed with repeat flow and/or molecular studies
>during the course and management of his newly diagnosed infection. Thanks
>for your thoughts.
>
>Christopher S. Bee, M.D.
>Medical Director, Flow Cytometry
>Wilford Hall Medical Center
>San Antonio, TX
>(210) 292-5455


--
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ondrej Hrusak, M.D., Ph.D.
Institute of Immunology
Ondrej.Hrusak@lfmotol.cuni.cz
fax +4202 2443 5962
http://www.lf2.cuni.cz/clip/
phone +4202 2443 5969, +4202 2443 2084
postal address: V uvalu 84
			150 06 Praha 5
			Czech Republic



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