Table 3.

Comparison of KSHV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders

PELMCD and associated plasmablastic lymphomaGLD
Clinical presentation In immunodeficient patients, with systemic
symptoms, poor prognosis 
Predominantly in immunodeficient patients,
with systemic symptoms, poor prognosis 
In immunocompetent patients with localized
lymphadenopathy, favorable response
to therapy 
Sites Body cavities, extranodal sites Lymph nodes, spleen Lymph nodes  
Morphology Immunoblasts with pleomorphic nuclei and
abundant plasmacytoid cytoplasm 
Plasmablasts, preferentially residing in the
mantle zone 
Plasmablasts, preferentially invading
germinal centers  
EBV Present in HIV-associated patients;
absent in HIV-negative patients 
Negative Positive  
Cytoplasmic Ig expression Absent High, always IgM High, any heavy chain 
Ig light chain Monotypic κ or λ mRNA Monotypic λ Monotypic κ or λ  
CD30 Positive Weakly positive Variable  
B-cell antigens Absent Weak or absent Absent  
Mutation in Ig genes Mutated in most Absent Mutated  
Cellular origin Germinal center or postgerminal center B cells Naive IgMλ expressing B cells Germinal center B cells 
PELMCD and associated plasmablastic lymphomaGLD
Clinical presentation In immunodeficient patients, with systemic
symptoms, poor prognosis 
Predominantly in immunodeficient patients,
with systemic symptoms, poor prognosis 
In immunocompetent patients with localized
lymphadenopathy, favorable response
to therapy 
Sites Body cavities, extranodal sites Lymph nodes, spleen Lymph nodes  
Morphology Immunoblasts with pleomorphic nuclei and
abundant plasmacytoid cytoplasm 
Plasmablasts, preferentially residing in the
mantle zone 
Plasmablasts, preferentially invading
germinal centers  
EBV Present in HIV-associated patients;
absent in HIV-negative patients 
Negative Positive  
Cytoplasmic Ig expression Absent High, always IgM High, any heavy chain 
Ig light chain Monotypic κ or λ mRNA Monotypic λ Monotypic κ or λ  
CD30 Positive Weakly positive Variable  
B-cell antigens Absent Weak or absent Absent  
Mutation in Ig genes Mutated in most Absent Mutated  
Cellular origin Germinal center or postgerminal center B cells Naive IgMλ expressing B cells Germinal center B cells 
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