A possible association between HTLV-I and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Jamaica.

Cell surface markers were determined in 10 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Jamaica, an area endemic for the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-I) and with a high positivity for HTLV-I antibody titers in CLL patients. The results demonstrated that the predominant cell phenotype in all patients was of B-cell origin. When surveyed for HTLV-I antibody, 3 out of 5 patients with B-CLL from this series were found positive. A possible association between HTLV-I and B-CLL is discussed.