Bone marrow findings in HIV-positive patients with Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus-associated multicentric Castleman disease

Am J Clin Pathol. 2013 May;139(5):651-61. doi: 10.1309/AJCPKGF7U8AWQBVG.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus-8, is associated with 1 form of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) and is the etiologic agent for most MCD in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Diagnosis is usually determined by lymph node biopsy. Bone marrow findings in KSHV-MCD are not well characterized. We conducted histomorphologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of bone marrow biopsy specimens in HIV-infected patients with KSHV-MCD, including evaluation for KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen. Findings were correlated with clinical features and KSHV viral load. Reactive plasmacytosis was the predominant feature. Lymphoid aggregates were less common and not diagnostic of KSHV-MCD. Forty-eight percent of cases contained scattered KSHV-infected mononuclear cells. Although patients were generally cytopenic, bone marrow biopsy specimens were normocellular to hypercellular except in patients receiving hematotoxic therapy. Bone marrow biopsy specimens in KSHV-MCD patients recapitulate findings of interleukin-6 excess. In patients with HIV, unexplained cytopenias, and bone marrow plasmacytosis, evaluation for KSHV-MCD is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology*
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / virology
  • Castleman Disease / pathology*
  • Castleman Disease / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • HIV Seropositivity / pathology*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • DNA, Viral