Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in a bilateral orbital mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To detect Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) gene in a patient with bilateral orbital musoca-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 47-year-old Chinese man with recurrent bilateral orbital masses underwent surgical biopsy. Ophthalmologic and radiographic examinations, routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis for immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH), bcl-2/IgH gene translocation, and Chlamydia genes were performed.

RESULTS

Pathology revealed orbital MALT lymphoma with B-cell monoclonality. In addition to IgH gene rearrangement, C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in the lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of C. pneumoniae molecular signatures in this case suggests a possible association of Chlamydia and orbital MALT lymphoma. The infection may contribute to the development of the lymphoma.