Abstract
Serum or plasma specimens from 340 patients with lymphoid malignancies and benign diseases were screened for reactivity with adult T-cell leukemia virus-associated antigen (ATLA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Anti-ATLA antibodies were found in 24 (7.1%) of the total 340 patients, but in 13 (41.9%) of 31 patients born in the ATL-endemic area. The antibodies were detected in 15 (88.2%) of 17 patients with ATL or adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, and nine of them were born in the ATL-endemic area. Among T-cell malignancies, the antibodies were detected in none of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, IBL-like T-cell lymphoma, T-CLL and mycosis fungoides, and birthplaces of them were distributed concentrically around Tokyo. In contrast, birthplaces of the patients with ATL and anti-ATLA positive T-cell lymphoma were clustered in Kyushu, the Pacific coast of Kanto and Tokai, and Iwate prefecture. In ATL-nonendemic area, anti-ATLA is considered to be a very useful marker for identifying ATL and ATLV-related T-cell lymphoma.
