Surgical biopsy for persistent generalized lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Abstract Lymph node biopsy was performed in 39 homosexual men with unexplained persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL). Thirtyseven (95 per cent) of these patients had antibodies to human Tlymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), at the time of biopsy. Histology in all but one showed only follicular hyperplasia, the exception showed caseating granulomata typical of tuberculosis. Clinical differentiation between lymphadenopathy associated with HTLV-III and other causes of generalized lymphadenopathy is difficult; however, the presence of antibodies to HTLV-III probably identifies patients in whom surgical biopsy will only occasionally reveal a specific histological diagnosis. It is suggested that the presence of antibodies to HTLV-III in patients with PGLjustifies a more selective approach to lymph node biopsy.