Hiroyuki Amano

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with chromosomal translocations involving 3q27 band and immunoglobulin gene loci: Report of two cases

Two cases of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) of B-cell origin with reciprocal chromosome translocations involving the 3q27 band and loci for the immunoglobulin genes are described. In case 1, [t(3;14)(q27;q32)], the 14q32 band for the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene was involved, and in case 2, [t(3;22)(q27;q11)], the reciprocal breakpoint was the 22q11 band where the immunoglobulin lambda light chain gene is located. Although the two patients shared some clinical features, the lymphomas varied in histologic phenotypes; in case 1, the lymphoma being a diffuse large cell subtype, whereas in case 2, the lymphoma being the high grade small noncleaved cell lymphoma. Thus, the consistent association of the 3q27 translocation with a specific subtype of NHL remains to be determined. Southern blot analysis of the lymphoma cells from the two patients showed rearrangements and deletions in immunoglobulin genes with features which cannot be explained by normal immunoglobulin-generating mechanisms and which suggest that the translocations involved these loci at the molecular level. Cloning of the breakpoint using DNA probes from the immunoglobulin genes would prove a novel oncogene at the 3q27 band.

Fibrin-Degradation Products in Falciparum Malaria

A fatal female case of cerebral falciparum malaria who was accidentally, artificially and directly infected in Japan through nursing an imported falciparum malaria was experienced. These observations raised a question as to whether the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) would occur in falciparum malaria. Then, 84 Congolese patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were studied on the coagulation. Serum fibrin-degradation products (FDP) levels were only slightly raised (10-40 microgram/ml) in 4 cases out of 84 (5%). Thrombocytopenia, elongation of prothrombin time and low fibrinogen concentration were found in 24 out of 57 (42%), in 11 out of 47 (23%) and in 11 out of 46 (24%), respectively. Relations between FDP level and the other observations were not significant. It is suggested that there is no evidence of intravascular coagulation at least in uncomplicated falciparum malaria.