Lymphadenopathies in homosexual men. Relationships with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Abstract

Generalized, persistent lymphadenopathies were observed in homosexual men and considered a possible prodrome of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). To evaluate these lymphadenopathies, 25 lymph node biopsy specimens from homosexual men with lymphadenopathy (18), lymphadenopathy associated with AIDS (five), and lymphadenopathy associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (two) were reviewed and correlated with the clinical symptoms. In the absence of opportunistic infections, the lymph node lesions were essentially uniform and represented acute inflammatory processes resembling those commonly seen in viral lymphadenitides. This suggests that a lymphotropic agent, probably a virus, causes AIDS as a result of its destructive effects on certain populations of lymphoid cells.

Relationship of Lymphoid Lesions to Disease Course in Mucosal Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Type C Infection

“…Similarly, expansion of the paracortical macrophage population and B-cell hyperplasia accompanied by sinus histiocytosis have been described in lymph nodes of HIV-infected patients. 11,28,41,43 Thus, the lymph node re-active changes observed in FIV-C-infected cats parallel those reported in HIV-infected people.…”

“…Age-and litter-matched control animals receiving parallel noninfectious inocula consisted of six SPF newborn kittens (cat Nos. [24][25][26][27][28][29] and seven SPF weanling age cats (Nos. [30][31][32][33][34][35][36].…”

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Lymph Nodes in HIV-Infected Individuals

“…The cytologic picture in all these cases was considered to be compatible with HIV lymphadenitis type A. 10,11 One case showed numerous dissociated and clustered endothelial cells and fragments of small vessels ( Figures 2 and 3), suggesting vascular proliferation within the node. There was marked paucity of normal nodal cellular components, with only a few scattered lymphoplasmacytic cells seen.…”

“…10,11 Monocytoid cells aggregated near blood vessels and polymorphs were clustered within sinuses or associated with the monocytoid cells. Scattered multinucleated WFGCs may be present.…”

Transgenic dissection of HIV genes involved in lymphoid depletion.

“…Expanded germinal centers appeared highly reactive, with frequent apoptotic bodies within tingiblebody macrophages. This pattern is highly reminiscent of follicular hyperplasia observed in HIV-infected individuals with early stage persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (16)(17)(18). As evidence for germinal center activation giving rise to expansion of the B cell compartment, analysis of lymph nodes from old N4 mice frequently showed surviving T lymphocytes confined into pools on a background of B lymphocytes (Fig.…”