Post transplantation human herpes virus-8 unrelated primary effusion lymphoma of the peritoneal cavity in a HIV-negative female

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a recently individualized form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (WHO classification), developing mainly in HIV-infected males, more frequently homosexual, in advanced stages of the disease (total CD4+ lymphocyte count below 100-200/μl). Occasionally, it appears in other immunosupressive states (such as solid organs transplantation period) and even, although very rarely, in immunocompetent patients. From a pathogenic point of view, PEL has been related to Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpes virus (also named human herpesvirus 8, HHV 8) and to clinical antecedents of Kaposi's sarcoma. The relatively low frequency of this disease, the absence of a wide casuisticsts allowing a better characterization, and its unfavourable outcome, support the need of a deeper knowledge. We present here the clinico-biological findings of a HIV-negative patient, who was diagnosed of peritoneal PEL, of T cell origin, and not HHV 8-associated, five years after renal transplantation.