T‐cell non‐hodgkin lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus‐1‐infected individuals

We present two patients with human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) infection in whom T‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma developed, based on pathologic diagnosis, immunophenotyping, and T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement. Both cases were positive for human immunodeficiency virus‐1 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot methods. Histologic sections from each patient showed a high‐grade pleomorphic T‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, and immunophenotyping demonstrated a prevalence of reactivity for CD4 (helper) over CD8 (suppressor) antigens. T‐cell receptor β‐chain gene rearrangement studies revealed a rearranged pattern with either the Hindlll or BamHI enzymes, whereas immunoglobulin heavy chain genes retained a germ‐line configuration. Viral sequences specific for human T‐cell leukemia virus‐1, human T‐cell leukemia virus‐II, or HIV‐1 were not detected. Thus, although rare, T‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma may be observed in HIV‐1‐infected individuals.