Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) carrier with clinical manifestations characteristic of diffuse panbronchiolitis

Abstract

A 45-year-old male was referred due to prolonged productive cough. Despite the fact that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested lymphocytic and neutrophilic alveolitis, the histologic diagnosis of his biopsied lung was diffuse panbronchiolitis-like lesion with infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells into respiratory bronchioles but few foamy cells. Serologic examination revealed that he was a carrier of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Together with uveitis and ulcerative colitis in his past history, the persistent respiratory symptoms of this patient can be attributed to non-neoplastic inflammation due to the chronic HTLV-I infection.