Classic and immunodeficiency-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Clinical, histologic, and immunologic correlations

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1988 Dec;112(12):1214-20.

Abstract

The evolutionary modifications of the clinical, histomorphologic, and immunopathologic features of both classic and immunodeficiency (ID)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were investigated in relation to the immune status of the patients. The histologic picture was similar in the classic and ID-associated forms of the tumor. In classic KS, a variably dense reactive infiltrate was present, and its amount was inversely related to the age of the lesions; conversely, a scarce reactive infiltrate, with the absence of CD4+ cells, was always evidenced in ID-associated KS lesions, even when the immune status of the patient showed no abnormalities. This evidence supports the hypothesis that a specific impairment of skin-associated lymphoid tissue may be crucial to the development of ID-associated KS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Hodgkin Disease / complications
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / etiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal