Comparative Study of the Clinical Pathology, Immunophenotype, Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Status, and Gene Rearrangements in Adult and Children Patients With Hydroa Vacciniforme-Like Lymphoproliferative Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoma that mainly affects children.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the similarities and differences in the clinical pathological features, EBV infection status, and gene rearrangements in adults and children patients with HVLPD.

METHODS: We compared the clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunophenotypical features, EBV infection status, and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in the adult and children HVLPD groups.

RESULTS: Clinical manifestations differed between children and adults groups. The children were characterized by blisters and severe facial swelling, whereas the adults were characterized by mild facial swelling and papules. Mosquito bite was significantly related to morbidity in the children group. Histologically, the number of mast cells in the adult group was greater than in the children group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in EBV infection status or TCR-γ gene rearrangements between 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in clinical pathology and prognosis between the 2 groups. A higher mast cell count and T-cell phenotype might be associated with a poor prognosis.