Frequency distribution of hepatitis C infection among patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in underserved minority population.

Abstract

e18536 Background: The role of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not well clarified. Several studies show a variation (0% to 37%) in the prevalence of HCV infection in B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) by geographical location. Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were reported to have the highest prevalence of HCV infection in subtype specific analysis of B-NHL in previous studies. Methods: We retrospectively studied 112 patients with histological diagnosis of B-NHL confirmed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, consecutively seen from 2002 to 2007.Their clinical features and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Histopatholgy in patients with HCV was as follows: 12(67%) DLBCL, 3(16%) marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), 3(16%) Burkitt lymphoma (BL). 14(78%) patients had Stage III or IV disease, 11 (60%) had an IPI of ≥3, and 4(22%) had disease relapse. Regarding AA patients with HCV and B-NHL, the median age at diagnosis was 50 years, 6(60%) were males and 4 (40%) females. 8(80%) patients had DLBCL, 1(10%) had BL, and 1(10%) had MZL. 9 out of 10 had aggressive disease (DLBCL and BL). Conclusions: The prevalence of HCV infection in patients with B-NHL we presente is higher than previously reported in some U.S. studies. 83% of patients with B-NHL / HCV infection, and 90% of AA with B-NHL/HCV, had aggressive disease, which is significantly higher than previously reported. This linkage should be further studied, and its relationship to other healthcare disparities in underserved populations should be evaluated. Of 112 patients, 18 (16%) were HCV positive, 17 (15%) were HIV positive and 6(5%) were hepatitis B (HBV) positive. Among HCV positive patients, the median age at diagnosis was 48 years; 12 (67%) were males and 6 (33%) females. 10 (55%) were African American (AA), 4 (22%) Caucasian, 3 (16%) Hispanic and 1 (5%) was Asian. 1 (5%) patient had coinfection with HBV and 2 (11%) had coinfection with HIV. Race/ethnicity All patients HCV patients Caucasian 20 4 AA 50 10 Hispanic 35 3 Asian 5 1 Middle Eastern 2 0 Total 112 18 All types of B-NHL DLBCL MZL BL HCV patients 18 12 (67%) 3 (16%) 3 (16%)