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Flow cytometric evaluation of CD38 expression assists in distinguishing follicular hyperplasia from follicular lymphoma

The distinction of follicular lymphoma (FL) from reactive follicular hyperplasia (FH) can be a diagnostic challenge in flow cytometry. In this study, the median fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD38 as assessed by flow cytometry on B and T cell subpopulations in 102 lymph nodes specimens with histopathologically confirmed FL was compared with 55 cases of FH. The MFI of CD38 was highly significantly reduced in the neoplastic B cells in FL when compared with the reactive germinal center B cells in FH (P < 1.0E‐16). The MFI of CD38 did not differ between the non‐neoplastic B‐cells in FL and nongerminal center B‐cells in FH (P = 0.14) or between T‐cells and non‐neoplastic B‐cells in FL (P = 0.63). A marginal increase in the MFI of CD38 was seen for T cells in FL compared with FH (P = 0.04). An increased difference in the MFI of CD38 was identified for T‐cells compared with nongerminal center B‐cells in FH (P = 0.005). No difference in CD38 expression was seen between Grades 1, 2, or 3 FL. The study also confirmed increased expression of CD10 (P < 1.0E‐9), decreased CD19 (P < 1.0E‐22), and CD20 (P < 1.0E‐16) in FL in comparison with FH, as has been previously reported. This study identified decreased CD38 as a common finding in FL in comparison with FH and provides an additional tool to help differentiate FL from FH by flow cytometry. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society