Monoblastic leukemia in an HIV‐infected patient: Absence of viral expression in RNA blasts

A small number of patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported as developing acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL). In the cases previously published, the authors never reported a study of the link joining HIV infection and leukemia. We describe here the case of a 41-year-old HIV positive patient who developed ANLL (FAB classification M5). Using molecular techniques, we looked for a direct link between these two coexisting diseases. We showed the absence of HIV expression in the malignant clone, suggesting that the association of ANLL and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is not a direct consequence of the myeloid precursors infection. Nevertheless a relationship may exist through a disorganization of the bone marrow micro-environment.