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Persistent polyclonal lymphocytosis with binucleated B lymphocytes: a genetic predisposition
Author(s) -
Troussard X.,
Valensi F.,
Debert C.,
Maynadie M.,
Schillinger F.,
Bonnet P.,
Macintyre E. A.,
Flandrin G.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb05018.x
Subject(s) - lymphocytosis , polyclonal antibodies , immunology , polymerase chain reaction , binucleated cells , pathology , medicine , biology , antibody , gene , genetics , micronucleus , micronucleus test , toxicity
Summary. Persistent lymphocytosis is usually associated with a malignant lymphoproliferative disease (MLPD). We report six female patients presenting a chronic, moderate lymphocytosis of 2–16 years duration with atypical binucleated lymphocytes on peripheral blood smears. Further investigation showed a polyclonal increase in serum IgM and HLA‐DR7 phenotype in all patients. The B cells were polyclonal because Southern hybridization of DNA and polymerase chain reaction failed to demonstrate a clonal rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. Peripheral blood examination showed binucleated lymphocytes in a family member of two of the cases; taken together with the association with HLA‐DR7 these data suggest a genetic predisposition. The identification of this benign syndrome is important in order to prevent its misdiagnosis as a MLPD.