[A case of smoldering ATLL in high risk family and familial double infection of HTLV-1 and HBV].

Abstract

A 35-year-old male from Kagoshima prefecture developed nodules with asymptomatic erythema on both upper eyelids, both hands and upper right leg in April 1986. On April 10, 1987, biopsy of skin lesions revealed numerous atypical CD4 positive lymphocytes which had invaded the dermis around the vessels. Analysis of serum showed positive antibody titer (X40) against the human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) with some flower cells evident in peripheral blood; however, no infiltration into bone marrow or lymph nodes could be seen. Lymphocytes from peripheral blood and from the skin lesion of the right leg showed monoclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA. Chronic active hepatitis B virus (HBV) was also a complicating factor. Familial study revealed all three family members to be infected with HTLV-1 as well as HBV. Proviral integration of HTLV-I was the intermediate type in two out of the three. From the results, a diagnosis of smoldering adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) was made in this patient with high risk to family members. Herein we discuss the development of ATLL in this case and infection among family members.