Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma. A case report and immunologic study.

Background: Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD) is rare in the head and neck and its definition remains controversial.

Methods: A case of AILD with an ulcer of the lateral pharyngeal wall was studied for viral infection, immunohistologic findings and T-cell receptor (TCR) V beta rearrangement.

Results: We observed elevation of antibodies against herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus as well as Epstein-Barr virus considered closely associated with AILD. The affected neck lymph node showed a preponderance of T-cells, predominantly CD4+ over CD8+ T-cells and all V beta gene families were expressed in the T-cells without enhancement of any particular TCR gene usage.

Conclusions: Viral infection may occur easily in patients with AILD, possibly owing to immunodeficiency. Assessment of TCR V beta gene usage indicated T-cells to non-specifically become lymphomatous in AILD-like T-cell lymphoma.