Objective: To determine the optimal cutoff value of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load that can assist in the diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) . Methods: The data of patients with EBV infection after haplo-HSCT from January to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Through constructing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the Youden index to determine the cutoff value of EBV-DNA load and its duration of diagnostic significance for PTLD. Results: A total of 94 patients were included, of whom 20 (21.3% ) developed PTLD, with a median onset time of 56 (40-309) d after transplantation. The median EBV value at the time of diagnosis of PTLD was 70,400 (1,710-1,370,000) copies/ml, and the median duration of EBV viremia was 23.5 (4-490) d. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the peak EBV-DNA load (the EBV-DNA load at the time of diagnosis in the PTLD group) and duration of EBV viremia between the PTLD and non-PTLD groups. The results showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.018 and P=0.001) . The ROC curve was constructed to calculate the Youden index, and it was concluded that the EBV-DNA load ≥ 41 850 copies/ml after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.847) , and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.611 and 0.932, respectively. The duration of EBV viremia of ≥20.5 d had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.833) , with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.778 and 0.795, respectively. Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring of EBV load in high-risk patients with PTLD after haplo-HSCT and attention to its duration have important clinical significance, which can help clinically predict the occurrence of PTLD in advance and take early intervention measures.
Humans ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/diagnosis* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Viremia ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders/etiology* ; DNA, Viral ; Viral Load

Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) is an uncommon pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder that is characterized by the presence of peribronchiolar hyperplastic lymphoid follicles with reactive germinal centers. FB could be associated with systemic illnesses including immunodeficiency, infection, and autoimmune diseases. In Korea, a single case of FB with rheumatoid arthritis was recently described but there has been no report on FB associated with other rheumatic diseases. Herein, we describe the first case of FB presenting nodular ground-glass opacities (GGO), which mimicked lung cancer, in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The differential diagnosis of nodular GGO lesions should include FB although it is a rare manifestation in SS patients.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Bronchiolitis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Germinal Center ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Rheumatic Diseases

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (C-ALCL) is a rare subtype of primary cutaneous lymphoma with a favorable prognosis. Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders, which include C-ALCL and lymphomatoid papulosis, are the second most common group of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. C-ALCL is comprised of large cells with anaplastic, pleomorphic, or immunoblastic cytomorphology, and indeed, more than 75% of the tumor cells express the CD30 antigen. C-ALCL clinically presents with solitary or localized reddish-brown nodules or tumors, and sometimes indurated papules, and they may be with ulceration covering with dark eschar. Multifocal lesions are seen in 20% of the patients. Extracutaneous dissemination, which mainly involves the regional lymph nodes, occurs in 10% of patients. A 69-year-old man noticed a mild elevated cutaneous lesion containing central ulceration covering with brownish black necrotic tissue on the right lower lip, and the lesion was surgically removed. After the first operation, another skin lesion was developed and the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis, C-ALCL. Eight specimens were excised during the 7-month follow-up period. The patient started the treatment with low-dose oral methotrexate (15 mg/wk) and there was no recurrence for 11 months.
Aged ; Antigens, CD30 ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lip ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; Lymphomatoid Papulosis ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Methotrexate ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most frequent type of B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders and chronic inflammation takes part in the development of CLL. However, there has been no valid immune biomarker to predict the prognosis of untreated CLL patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical correlations and prognostic value of albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) detected at diagnosis in 191 CLL patients. RESULTS: The cut-off value of AFR was 9.7 calculated by X-tile. Patients who were more than 65 years old were often accompanied by low level of AFR (p < 0.001). Survival analysis showed that patients with low level of AFR had shorter overall survival (OS) than patients with high level of AFR (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis illustrated that AFR had a negative impact on OS (p=0.003) and was independent of parameters involved in CLL international prognostic index and other prognostic markers such as CD38 and ZAP-70. CONCLUSION: These data provide a comprehensive view of AFR and shows that AFR at diagnosis is an adverse prognostic factor in untreated CLL patients.
B-Lymphocytes ; Diagnosis ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

Lymphoproliferative disorder in a posttransplant setting has emerged as a difficult problem in kidney transplantation (KT). Lymphoma involving adnexa of the eye has rarely been reported due to scarcity of lymphoreticular tissue in the ocular area. This report presents a case of a 37-year-old KT recipient who was diagnosed with conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with a chief complaint of seeing black spots. Unlike other post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation via immunosuppression, the lesion was not related to the virus. The patient received radiotherapy with concomitant conversion from the tacrolimus to the sirolimus. Overall, the results presented herein indicate lymphoma may be an important differential diagnosis when KT recipients complain of ocular discomfort.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Lymphoid Tissue* ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Radiotherapy ; Sirolimus ; Tacrolimus ; Transplant Recipients*

The outcome of solid organ and bone marrow transplantation has been dramatically improved with the development of immunosuppressive agent. However, the use of immunosuppressive agents could increase the risk of malignancies such as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). PTLD is regarded as the lymphoid malignancy of patients using immunosuppressive agents, and it could present diverse and non-specific symptoms. It involves various organs including the tonsil, adenoid, lymph node, and the brain. Because of its poor prognosis, an early suspicion of pathologic diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of PTLD. In this report, we demonstrate the case of three pediatric patients who had been treated for PTLD of various clinical presentations by early suspicion and pathologic diagnosis.
Adenoids ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Head* ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders* ; Neck* ; Palatine Tonsil ; Prognosis

Epstein-Barr virus (human herpesvirus-4) is very common virus that can be detected in more than 95% of the human population. Most people are asymptomatic and live their entire lives in a chronically infected state (IgG positive). However, in some populations, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been involved in the occurrence of a wide range of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), including Burkitt lymphoma, classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and immune–deficiency associated LPDs (post-transplant and human immunodeficiency virus–associated LPDs). T-cell LPDs have been reported to be associated with EBV with a subset of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas, extranodal nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphomas, and other rare histotypes. This article reviews the current evidence covering EBV-associated LPDs based on the 2016 classification of the World Health Organization. These LPD entities often pose diagnostic challenges, both clinically and pathologically, so it is important to understand their unique pathophysiology for correct diagnoses and optimal management.
B-Lymphocytes ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; Classification* ; Diagnosis ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders* ; T-Lymphocytes ; World Health Organization

Molecular pathologic testing plays an important role for the diagnosis, prognostication and decision of treatment strategy in lymphoproliferative disease. Here, we briefly review the molecular tests currently used for lymphoproliferative disease and those which will be implicated in clinical practice in the near future. Specifically, this guideline addresses the clonality test for B- and T-cell proliferative lesions, molecular cytogenetic tests for malignant lymphoma, determination of cell-of-origin in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and molecular genetic alterations incorporated in the 2016 revision of the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Finally, a new perspective on the next-generation sequencing for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purpose in malignant lymphoma will be summarized.
Classification ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders* ; Molecular Biology ; Pathology, Molecular ; T-Lymphocytes ; World Health Organization

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus, affecting >90% of the adult population. EBV targets B-lymphocytes and achieves latent infection in a circular episomal form. Different latency patterns are recognized based on latent gene expression pattern. Latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) mimics CD40 and, when self-aggregated, provides a proliferation signal via activating the nuclear factor-kappa B, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways to promote cellular proliferation. LMP-1 also induces BCL-2 to escape from apoptosis and gives a signal for cell cycle progression by enhancing cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and by inhibiting p16 and p27. LMP-2A blocks the surface immunoglobulin-mediated lytic cycle reactivation. It also activates the Ras/PI3K/Akt pathway and induces Bcl-xL expression to promote B-cell survival. Recent studies have shown that ebv-microRNAs can provide extra signals for cellular proliferation, cell cycle progression and anti-apoptosis. EBV is well known for association with various types of B-lymphocyte, T-lymphocyte, epithelial cell and mesenchymal cell neoplasms. B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders encompass a broad spectrum of diseases, from benign to malignant. Here we review our current understanding of EBV-induced lymphomagenesis and focus on biology, diagnosis and management of EBV-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.
B-Lymphocytes/*pathology/*virology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Management ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/*complications ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/*physiology ; Humans ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders/*diagnosis/*etiology/therapy

DiGeorge syndrome is an immunodeficient disease associated with abnormal development of 3rd and 4th pharyngeal pouches. As a hemizygous deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 occurs, various clinical phenotypes are shown with a broad spectrum. Conotruncal cardiac anomalies, hypoplastic thymus, and hypocalcemia are the classic triad of DiGeorge syndrome. As this syndrome is characterized by hypoplastic or aplastic thymus, there are missing thymic shadow on their plain chest x-ray. Immunodeficient patients are traditionally known to be at an increased risk for malignancy, especially lymphoma. We experienced a 7-year-old DiGeorge syndrome patient with mediastinal mass shadow on her plain chest x-ray. She visited Severance Children's Hospital hospital with recurrent pneumonia, and throughout her repeated chest x-ray, there was a mass like shadow on anterior mediastinal area. We did full evaluation including chest computed tomography, chest ultrasonography, and chest magnetic resonance imaging. To rule out malignancy, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery was done. Final diagnosis of the mass which was thought to be malignancy, was lymphoproliferative lesion.
Child ; Diagnosis ; DiGeorge Syndrome* ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Phenotype ; Pneumonia ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax ; Thymus Gland ; Ultrasonography