A Case Report of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Associated with Epstein-Barr Virus in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas is the most frequent subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in both normal populations and human Immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Cutaneous involvement can be either primary or secondary. The common cutaneous features are erythematous to violaceous plaques, nodules, or ulcerative lesions. The histopathology typically demonstrates nodular or diffuse infiltration of large atypical lymphocytes with relatively sparing of the epidermis.

We reported a case of HIV infected woman presented with 2-month history of red-purplish rashes distributed all over the body including her face and oral cavity. She also had fever, night sweat, malaise, dysphagia, and significant weight loss. The skin biopsy showed diffuse dermal infiltration of medium to large atypical lymphocytes with epidermotropism. However, the immunohistochemistry demonstrated CD20-positive B lymphocytes in the vast majority of the infiltrating cells. The initial diagnosis was epidermotropic cutaneous B-cell lymphoma mimicking mycosis fungoides. Immunoblastic/activated B-cell subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was determined by further immunohistochemical study. In addition, Epstein-Barr virus was found obviously positive. According to the overall findings, we reported a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection.