Analysis of the target cell for Epstein-Barr virus infection in Epstein-Barr virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS).
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected cells were examined in three cases of EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) by analysis of the heterogeneity of terminal repetitive sequences in the EBV genome, indicating monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected cells in all cases. Involvement of T lymphoid cells was determined by the finding of in situ hybridization using [35S]-labeled RNA probes specific for the small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBER1 and EBER2, in combination with immunostaining for the TCR-beta chain, CD45RO, CD20, CD30 and CD68 antigens in these three cases. The majority of lymphoid cells showing EBER transcripts were stained by antibodies against CD45RO and TCR-beta. In contrast, EBER-specific signals were not detectable on B cells or hemophagocytic cells. These data support the concept that subclinical EBV-associated T cell proliferation is the primary characteristic of EBV-AHS, rather than proliferations of hemophagocytosing histiocytes.
Department of Virology, National Children's Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan.
S
S
Mizutani
H
H
Kawaguchi
T
T
Miyashita
H
H
Herbst
G
G
Niedobitek
M
M
Asada
M
M
Tsuchida
R
R
Hanada
A
A
Kinoshita
M
M
Sakura
D000293:Adolescent; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D015616:Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
D000956:Antigens, Viral