A pathological study of cytomegalovirus infections in autopsied cases with adult T-cell leukemia

• Published in: Kansenshōgaku zasshi Vol. 71; no. 3; p. 222
• Main Authors: Nagaoka, H, Tokimatsu, I, Yamasaki, T, Nagai, H, Otsuka, E, Hashimoto, A, Goto, Y, Nasu, M, Kikuchi, H, Daa, T, Akizuki, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan 01-03-1997
• Subjects: Adrenal Glands - virology; Adult; Aged; Cause of Death; Cytomegalovirus Infections - etiology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - pathology; Female; Humans; Leukemia, T-Cell - complications; Leukemia, T-Cell - pathology; Leukemia, T-Cell - virology; Lung - virology; Male; Middle Aged; Urinary Bladder - virology
• ISSN: 0387-5911
• DOI: 10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.71.222

In this study, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was found in eleven of 21 autopsied cases (52.4%) with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Seven cases (63.6%) revealed disseminated infection in more than three organs. The lungs were involved in all eleven cases (100%), adrenal glands in eight cases (72.7%), esophagus in four cases (36.4%), and stomach, small intestine and urinary bladder in three cases (27.3%). Histopathological findings suggested that lung involvement was the cause of death in five of the 11 cases, the small intestine were involved in two of the 3 cases, and the adrenal glands were involved in one of the 8 cases. In summary, CMV infection was found to be the main cause of death in five (45.5%) of the 11 ATL patients.