A rare case of oral plasmablastic lymphoma in a vertically transmitted HIV-positive young patient

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare AIDS associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with the oral cavity as the common known site for its occurrence. Herein, we present a case of 10-year-old HIV-positive patient who presented with a benign-looking gingival lesion in the oral cavity. On microscopic examination, lesional tissue showed sea of small and large lymphoid cells. Tumor cells were displaying plasmablastic differentiation, showed large oval to round-shaped cells with eccentrically placed nuclei and abundant cytoplasm intermixed with few mature plasma cells. On immunohistochemical examination, tumor cells were showing immunophenotype of plasma cells and very weak/negative expression for B-cell And T-cell antigen. Ki-67 proliferative index was 25–30 %. Considering the immunocompromised status, clinical and microscopic findings the final diagnosis of oral PBL was rendered.

Keywords

• Oral plasmablastic lymphoma
• Human immunodeficiency virus
• Epstein-Barr virus
• AIDS