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. 2005 Sep 7:5:8.
doi: 10.1186/1472-6890-5-8.

Persistence of Natural Killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis with hyposplenism without development of leukaemia

Sujoy Khan  1 , K Myers
Affiliations

Persistence of Natural Killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis with hyposplenism without development of leukaemia

Sujoy Khan et al. BMC Clin Pathol. .

Abstract

Background: Natural killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis usually has an indolent course and can progress into massive lymphocytosis with development of cytopenias and neoplastic diseases. NK-cells usually express one or more "NK-associated" antigens (CD16, CD56, CD57). Reactive expansions are seen in autoimmune diseases, viral infections, solid tumours and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Case presentation: We report a lady with a benign clinical course over 10 years and persistent CD8+/CD3-/CD57+/CD16+ LGL proliferation with presence of Howell-Jolly bodies (functional hyposplenism), an association not previously described.

Conclusion: We discuss the possible causes of clonal expansion and conclude that this may be part of the spectrum of immune dysregulation associated with NK-cell lymphocytosis.

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