3.13 Infectious Complications Among Individuals with Monoclonal B-Cell Lymphocytosis (MBL): A Community-based Cohort Study of Newly Diagnosed Patients Compared to Controls

Abstract

Monoclonal B-Cell Lymphocytosis is an asymptomatic hematologic condition characterized by the presence of small populations of clonal B-cells in the blood or bone marrow occurring in 3-5% of the general population over age 40. Although MBL is considered the precursor state to CLL and other sub-types of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, most individuals with MBL will not develop a B-cell malignancy. It is unknown, however, whether individuals with MBL may be at risk for other adverse outcomes associated with CLL, such as increased risk of infection. To explore this aspect, we evaluated the risk of hospitalization for infection among patients with clinically recognized MBL and compared this to a cohort of general medicine patients and a cohort of CLL patients.