IMMUNOHISTOLOGY OF PERSISTENT GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IMMUNOHISTOLOGY OF PERSISTENT GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY

Serono Symp Publ Raven Press; 59:63-71 1989. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90660596
Baroni CD; Uccini S; Dept. of Biopathology, Univ. of Rome, La Sapienza, Viale Regina; Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy

Abstract: Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) is a chronic disease characterized by lymph node enlargement involving mainly cervical and axillary stations. The disease is caused by the same retrovirus that is responsible for AIDS and is present in the same groups that are at risk for AIDS. PGL may progress to AIDS through the following phases: (1) follicular hyperplasia, with or without follicular fragmentation; (2) follicular involution; and (3) follicular depletion with fibrosis. The immunohistologic features of lymph nodes of patients affected by PGL are discussed, including the cells present in lymphoid follicles, paracortical areas, and sinuses. Evidence obtained by the authors and others demonstrates that the immunohistochemical features of HIV-induced PGL, although nonspecific, are highly characteristic. B-dependent areas, mainly represented by germinal centers, are the node regions most involved during PGL. They are characterized by a pleomorphic histologic pattern and a wide range of immunohistologic alterations in which both effector and accessory cells seem to play important roles. Certain nonlymphoid cells, such as endothelial cells of postcapillary paracortical venules, also seem to participate in the pathogenetic mechanisms related to the lymphoid tissue damage. Immunohistology seems to correlate well with histology in PGL. Although the relevance of the immunohistologic findings for the pathogenesis of HIV-induced disease remains to be determined, the authors speculate that abnormal immune reactions contribute to the dramatic alterations seen in lymphoid tissues. (32 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PATHOLOGY AIDS-Related Complex/*PATHOLOGY B-Lymphocytes/PATHOLOGY Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/PHYSIOLOGY Endothelium, Vascular/PATHOLOGY Human HIV/*PATHOGENICITY Immunohistochemistry Lymph Nodes/*PATHOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/PATHOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
900530
M9051004

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