Exposure to animals and increased risk of marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of the ocular adnexae

Abstract

Background:Ocular adnexal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (OAMZL) has been associated with Chlamydophila psittaci, an infection that may be transmitted by carrier animals. However, it is still unclear whether exposure to animals affects the risk of OAMZL in comparison with other lymphoma histotypes. We therefore investigated the role of professional and/or domestic exposures to animals in the occurrence of OAMZL, as compared with other types of lymphoma.Methods:A hospital-based case–control study was carried out on 43 consecutive OAMZL patients (cases) and 87 consecutive patients with nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs; controls). Multiple logistic regression (MLR) odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the association between exposures to animals and OAMZL risk.Results:A higher proportion of cases reported a lifetime exposure to household animals (79.1% vs 64.4% among controls), with a non-statistical significant MLR-OR of 2.18 (95% CI: 0.85–5.62). The OAMZL cases more frequently reported a history of occupation in breeding and/or slaughtering than controls (34.9% vs 6.9%), with an overall increased risk of 7.69 (95%CI: 2.65–22.34).Conclusion:These results indicate that, compared with nodal NHLs, the risk of OAMZL is markedly increased by contact with animals, particularly by occupational exposures.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment of marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma)

“…In the last 2 decades, evidence supporting a pathogenic role of CP in patients with ocular adnexal MALT lymphomas has progressively increased. Various factors, including the observation that the risk for ocular adnexal lymphomas was markedly increased (overall increase by 7.69 compared with control subjects who had nodal lymphoma) by contact with household animals and the detection of chlamydial DNA in samples of ocular adnexal MALT lymphomas, have argued for an association with CP infection. The presence of CP antigens and nucleic acids has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques on laser‐captured cells.…”

The aetiology of B‐cell lymphoid malignancies with a focus on chronic inflammation and infections

“…The link between Chlamydia psittaci infection and MALT‐L of ocular adnexa accounts for the second most extensively evaluated association . Evidence of an association relies on immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and laser capture‐assisted molecular approaches with further confirmation in ex‐vivo cultures , epidemiological studies and through response to eradicating antibiotic therapy. This pathogenic link shows geographical variability, meaning that the highest prevalence of this bacterium has been reported in Italy and Korea, whilst the lowest figures have been reported from the US East Coast and Japan.…”

Long-term outcomes of first-line treatment with doxycycline in patients with previously untreated ocular adnexal marginal zone B cell lymphoma

“…In humans, Cp is an etiological agent of psittacosis, which is caused by exposure to infected animals including birds, domestic mammals, and pets. The risk of OAL is markedly increased by contact with animals, and Cp DNA has been found in 80 % of OAL patients in Italian studies [5,6]. However, the rate of Cp positivity varies between geographical regions and also between studies from the same country [7,8].…”