ABSTRACT
In Oita prefecture, where ATL is relatively endemic, the authors carried out hematology analysis using an E-4000 hematology analyzer in a health examination. This analysis screened a group of 104 males and 181 females out of randomly collected 11, 568 persons in terms of a higher (exceeded 50%) W-SCR rate (i. e. lymphocyte rate in cell size distribution). The collected peripheral blood smears from this group were further subjected to the examination of lymphocyte morphology.<BR>Abnormal lymphocytes exhibiting dyscaryosis, such as indentation or lobulation, were observed in 11 cases, and further examination of anti-ATLA antibody and earlobe blood smears revealed eight suspected cases of ATL-related condition.<BR>Clinical symptoms characteristic of ATL were not observed in the above eight cases, though the anti-ATLA antibody titer measured by the ELISA method increased by more than 25. In one case, being diagnosed as chronic-type ATL, abnormal lymphocytes amounted to 70% and the leukocyte count was 28, 000/μl. In the other seven cases, abnormal lymphocytes amounted to only 1-11%, and the leukocyte counts ranged from 5, 300 to 11, 100/μl, which was almost within the normal limits.<BR>The method in reported as an useful means for screening cases of nonsymptomatic chronic or smoldering type ATL through a health examination.