HUMAN T-CELL LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE I-ASSOCIATED RETINAL LYMPHOMA - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL REPORT

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I has been associated with a wide range of ocular conditions, including neoplastic, infectious, and inf lammatory lesions. We studied a patient infected with human T-cell lym photropic virus type I who presented with deep retinal and subretinal infiltrates but without cells in the vitreous. The differential diagno sis included intraocular lymphoma and fungus infection. A chorioretina l biopsy specimen obtained for tissue diagnosis disclosed large atypic al mononuclear cells located primarily at the level of the retinal pig ment epithelium but focally involving overlying retina. Electron micro scopy of this infiltrate showed features consistent with adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Infection by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I was verified by polymerase chain reaction studies conducted on periph eral-blood mononuclear cells. This case emphasizes the occurrence of i ntraocular lesions in adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia that clinically s how some features similar to those of the usual ocular lymphoma (retic ulum cell sarcoma); diagnosis can be established by chorioretinal biop sy, thereby allowing appropriate therapy.