Adult T-cell leukaemia lymphoma (ATLL) associated with human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV). Case report and immunological studies with the neoplastic T-cells of a Caribbean patient

This paper describes a patient originating from Surinam with adult T-cell leukaemia lymphoma. The association of the disease with a novel C-type retrovirus named human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV) was demonstrated. Immunological and morphological studies showed that this case was similar to the ATTL cases so far reported in the literature: aggressive clinical course, hypercalcaemia, pleomorphic T-cells with helper phenotype and suppressor activity on immunoglobulin synthesis by normal B-cells in vitro.