Pelger-Huët Anomaly in Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Acquired Pelger-Huet Anomaly in a Case of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

“…To support this contention, a case of the occurrence of Auer rods in pseudo-Pelger cells in acute leukemia which disappeared in remission is cited. Although the acquired anomaly has been reported most commonly with myelogenous leukemia of an acute or chronic nature, it has also been reported in association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) [5,7], Hodg kin's disease [1] and multiple myeloma [1], It has not been reported in acute lymphocytic leukemia. Heinivaara and Kaipainen [5] reported a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with no evidence of Pelger anomaly early in the disease with late appearance of the anomaly.…”

“…Although the acquired anomaly has been reported most commonly with myelogenous leukemia of an acute or chronic nature, it has also been reported in association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) [5,7], Hodg kin's disease [1] and multiple myeloma [1], It has not been reported in acute lymphocytic leukemia. Heinivaara and Kaipainen [5] reported a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with no evidence of Pelger anomaly early in the disease with late appearance of the anomaly. Kornberg et al [7] reported the develop ment of Pelger-Huet anomaly late in the course of CLL in a patient who had received chlorambucil and who had hypogammaglobulinemia.…”

“…It was postulated that the anomaly may have been the result of chemo therapy or impaired myelopoiesis secondary to mar row involvement with CLL. Heinivaara and Kai painen [5] postulated that in CLL certain changes might occur in granulopoiesis which lead to develop ment of the nuclear anomaly, or alternatively, the he reditary form may be latent in these cases, requiring an extrinsic stimulus for expression. They point out, however, that there has never been any evidence for the latter with the dominant Pelger trait having com plete penetrance in family studies.…”