B-NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA IN A HEMOPHILIA PATIENT WITH IDIOPATHIC CD4-LYMPHOCYTOPENIA( T)

We report here a case of an HIV-uninfected, anti-hepatitis C virus (HC V) positive haemophiliac, who was transfused with blood and intermedia te purity factor VIII concentrates. Since 1988, a progressive decline in the CD4+ T-cell count was recorded, and in 1993 a B-cell non-Hodgki n's lymphoma (B-NHL) was diagnosed. The morphological appearance of th e tumor with features of intermediate/mantle zone lymphoma, and the ab sence of EBV sequences within the tumor, ruled out the occurrence of a typical ''opportunistic'' lymphoma. However it is possible that the b lood product therapy and its infectious complications may have played a role on immune function impairment.