A case of primary effusion lymphoma with the presence of human herpesvirus-8 DNA in a pleural effusion smear

Abstract

We report herein on a case of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). Smears of the pleural effusion demonstrated centroblast-like atypical lymphocytes. By applying the PCR process using extracted DNA from dry smear of the pleural effusion, we could detect rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (FR2B-JH) and the presence of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) DNA (ORF26). We consider that an effusion smear, even when dry, can be a useful material for detection of monoclonal gene rearrangement and the presence of the HHV-8 gene assessed with the PCR assay, which lead to an accurate diagnosis of PEL.