Presence of Epstein-Barr virus in many types of benign and malignant lymphoid lesions. Detection by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in African Burkitt's lymphoma, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, and a variable fraction of Hodgkin's lymphomas. To assess if EBV is associated with other lymphoid proliferations, we evaluated a wide variety of benign and malignant lymphoid lesions, using polymerase chain reaction and a sensitive in situ hybridization method. Abundant EBV+ cells were seen in posttransplant lymphomas, some B cell immunoblastic lymphomas, and in tonsils from patients with infectious mononucleosis. Intermediate numbers of EBV+ cells were seen in a mixed B cell lymphoma, peripheral T cell lymphomas, and in syncytial variants of Hodgkin's disease as well as a lymph node from a patient with infectious mononucleosis. Low numbers of EBV+ cells were detected in normal and reactive lymph nodes, B and T cell lymphomas, and Hodgkin's lymphomas. The variable extent of EBV infection in lymphoid lesions suggests that EBV may play a variety of roles in the development of malignant and nonmalignant lymphoid lesions.
Hardarson
S
S
Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Anderson
M E
ME
Lutz
C T
CT
D001483:Base Sequence; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000382:microbiology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000382:microbiology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods