Persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis: morphological, immunological, cytogenetic and molecular analysis of an Italian case

We describe a case of persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) studied by morphological, immunological, cytogenetic and molecular analysis. PPBL is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with an unclear natural history. Although a few cases of malignancies are observed during PPBL, this disorder is usually considered to be an indolent syndrome. A longer follow-up in a larger number of patients is needed in order to clarify the natural history of PPBL and its potential to transform into a malignancy. As PPBL is a rare disease, establishing an international PPBL registry could be the most effective way to understand the natural history of this disease and to discover its etiologic factors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.