Peripheral T-cell lymphoma other than angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AILD), with follicular dendritic cells proliferation and infection of B immunoblasts with Epstein Barr virus.

We describe a case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (REAL) with co-existence of follicular dendritic cell (FDC) proliferation and EB virus-infection. A 55-year-old Japanese man complained of generalized lymphadenopathy and physical examination showed systemic lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. HTLV-1 antibody titers and gamma-globulin level were within normal limits. Histopathologic examination of the right cervical lymph node showed peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (REAL classification). A diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells with abundant small venules were found throughout the lymph node. There were few arborizing venules. An irregular meshwork of FDCs was found by immunostaining with DRC-1 and CD21 in the area rich in venules, but not in the area of diffuse lymphoma cell-infiltration. EBER-1 RNA-in situ hybridization showed positive signal on the nuclei of mainly non-neoplastic B immunoblasts. The present case, therefore, was regarded as a rare case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified with FDC proliferation and EB virus infection.