Polyclonal proliferation of large granular lymphocytes during cytomegalovirus primary infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient receiving antiretroviral therapy

We report the first case of a patient infected with HIV in whom polyclonal CD8(+)/CD57(-) T lymphocyte large granular lymphocyte (LGL) proliferation w as observed in association with cytomegalovirus primary infection. Because the differential diagnosis of an increased number of LGLs includes both mon oclonal LGL leukemia and polyclonal proliferation of LGL, patients in whom LGL proliferation is detected always need close hematological and clinical observation to determine whether therapeutic intervention is necessary.