The impact of hepatitis viruses on chronic lymphoproliferative disorders; preliminary results

The aim of this study is to analyze a group of patients with chronic lymphoproliferative disorders associated with B, C, D hepatitis viral infection. This group of chronic lymphoproliferative disordered patients with associated hepatitis viral infection has been diagnosed and monitored in the Hematology Department of the University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, between December 2007 and January 2009. Our study is meant to observe the influence of the viral infection on clinical and biological evolution of the enrolled patients. The diagnosis of the chronic lymphoproliferative disorder was based on the bone marrow / lymph node biopsy and flow–cytometry analysis. The positive diagnosis for hepatitis viral infection was established by ELISA serological tests and viremia was performed by TaqMan method at INBI ‘Matei Bals’ Bucharest. The analyzed group is made up of 41 patients, 25/41 (60,97%) females and 16/41 (39,02%) males, with ages: 20–50 years old – 6/41 (14,63%), 51–70 years old – 23/41 (56,09%) and over 71 years old – 12/41 (29,26%) patients. The histological types of CLD: B–cell non–Hodgkin's lymphoma – in 28/41 (68,29%) patients, T–cell non–Hodgkin's lymphoma – 2/41 (4,87%) patients, Hodgkin's lymphoma – 2/41 (4,87%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia – 7/41 (17,07%), Waldenström disease – 2/41 (4,87%) patients. Regarding the type of CLD, 19/41 (46,34%) of the patients have an aggressive type of CLD and 22/41 (53,65%) a non–aggressive type of CLD. The hepatitis viral infection distribution in our patients: 14/41 (34,14%) have HBV infection, 24/41 (58,53%) have HCV infection, double/triple association of viral infection was found in 3/41 (7,31%) patients. Within HBV infection subgroup 9/14 (64,28%) patients have an aggressive type of CLD and 5/14 (35,71%) patients have a non–aggressive type, whereas within the group with HCV infection we found a different distribution: 9/24 (37,5%) patients with aggressive type and 15/24 (62,5%) with non–aggressive type of CLD. The clinical parameters monitored were: B signs were present in 19/41 (43,34%) patients, the superficial or profound adenopathies –were found in 29/41 (70,73%) patients, hepatomegaly – in 38/41 (92,68%) patients, splenomegaly – in 21/41 (51,21%) patients, extra–nodal involvements in 10/41 (24,39%) patients and most frequent in the non–aggressive type of CLD – 6/10 (60%) patients. The hematological and biochemical parameters were: the presence of anemia and thrombocytopenia – found in a small number of patients; lymphocytosis – positive in 33/41 (80,48%) patients, most with HCV infection and non–aggressive type of disease, the presence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia – in 4/41 (9,75%) patients, cryoglobulins – 8/41 (19,51%) patients, all with HCV infection; also the liver function was monitored. Antiviral therapy was administered to 12/41 (29,26%) patients – Lamivudine to 8/41 (19,51%) patients and Ribavirine/Interferon to 4/41 (9,75%) patients. Chemotherapy was given in 32/41 (78%) patients. Monoclonal antibodies anti CD20 (Rituximab) therapy was associated in 6/41 (14,63%) patients. Conclusions. A high incidence in female sex of over 50 years old was noticed. A strong association between B–cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders and hepatitis viral infection B, C, D was revealed, the most frequent being the C hepatitis virus, associated with the non–aggressive type of CLD, extra–nodal involvement, splenomegaly, lymphocytosis, cryoglobulins, cytolysis and colestasis. The clinical and biological disease history will be monitored during chemotherapy and antiviral treatment.