HTLV-I-SERONEGATIVE, GENOME-POSITIVE ADULT T-CELL LEUKEMIA - REPORT OF A CASE

An HTLV-l-seronegative case of adult I-cell leukemia (ATL) carrying th e HTLV-I genome is reported, Screening serological tests were negative and Western blot analysis revealed only a faint band for HTLV-I p24. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) disclosed the presence of HTLV-I gag, pol, env, pX, and LTR sequences in the lymph node and peripheral blood , Southern blot analysis revealed a monoclonal integration of HTLV-I i n the lymph node and peripheral blood. The tumor cells expressed viral antigens after short-term culture, The clinical course was consistent with ATL in that the patient exhibited hypercalcemia and abnormal lym phocytosis as well as hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, We recom mend that PCR analysis for HTLV-I be performed even in seronegative ca ses when ATL is clinically suspected. (C) 1996 Wiley Liss, Inc.