Primary cutaneous plasmablastic lymphoma revealing clinically unsuspected HIV infection

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma more frequently diagnosed in immunosuppressed patients, mainly HIV-infected. Primary cutaneous plasmablastic lymphoma is extremely rare, and in this patient it was the first clinical manifestation of unsuspected HIV-infection.

Cutaneous involvement by plasma cell myeloma with aberrant CD4 expression

“…12 Finally, the differential diagnosis could include plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), an aggressive B-cell lymphoma with frequent loss of CD20 expression and positivity for plasma cell markers such as CD38 or CD138. 13,14 This entity is typically restricted to HIV-positive patients and is often associated with Epstein-Barr virus positivity. In our case, the patient is negative for HIV.…”

“…Although a diagnostic pitfall can occur when CD20 expression is lost following anti‐CD20 therapy (rituximab) 12 . Finally, the differential diagnosis could include plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), an aggressive B‐cell lymphoma with frequent loss of CD20 expression and positivity for plasma cell markers such as CD38 or CD138 13,14 . This entity is typically restricted to HIV‐positive patients and is often associated with Epstein‐Barr virus positivity.…”

Plasmablastic lymphoma in an HIV patient with cutaneous presentation: A case of remarkable remission in a typically refractory disease

“…Primary cutaneous PBL is rare, accounting for approximately 6% of HIV-associated cases, but a large ulcerative or infiltrative multinodular tumor mass on the legs is a common pattern. 2,3 Histopathologic examination shows a tumor with a dense and diffuse growth pattern and a ''starry sky'' appearance, imparted by the presence of frequent mitoses, apoptosis, necrosis, and tingible body macrophages. The tumor cells resemble both B-immunoblastic lymphoma cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli and plasmacytoma cells with an abundant, basophilic, and often eccentric cytoplasm.…”

Violaceous Nodules on the Leg in a Patient with HIV

“…1 Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare and aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with EBV infection that compromises approximately 2% to 3% of all HIV-related lymphomas. 1,2 It frequently is associated with immunosuppression in patients with HIV or in transplant recipients on immunosuppression; however, it has been reported in immunocompetent individuals such as elderly patients. 2 Plasmablastic lymphoma most commonly presents on the buccal mucosa but also can affect the gastrointestinal tract and occasionally has cutaneous manifestations.…”