A survey of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in lymphoid tissue. Frequent detection in Hodgkin's disease.
A total of 151 unselected malignant and nonmalignant lymphoid tissue samples were surveyed by Southern blotting for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. Eight of 28 Hodgkin's disease (HD) samples (29%) had detectable EBV DNA. Both nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity histologic results were positive. The tumor type with the next highest frequency, 8%, was diffuse large cell lymphoma. The presence of EBV DNA in some HD biopsies suggests that EBV may be a factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. Alternatively, its presence may be secondary to the immune deficiency characteristic of HD. The clonal B-lymphocyte expansions reported in some cases of HD may result from EBV infection.
Staal
S P
SP
Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Ambinder
R
R
Beschorner
W E
WE
Hayward
G S
GS
Mann
R
R
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000382:microbiology*
D004279:DNA, Viral