Retinoblastoma protein and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expression in South African Hodgkin's disease.
The aim of this study was to explore the expression of retinoblastoma protein and EBV status in a cohort of cases of Hodgkin's disease from South Africa. Seventy one cases of Hodgkin's disease were accessed over a 6-year period and were classified according to the Rye Classification. Relevant sections were stained with commercially available antibodies to retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and EBV-LMP-1. In addition, in situ hybridization for EBERs was also performed. The results of this study show that 43 of 71 cases expressed EBV by both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. These included 18 mixed cellularity, 19 nodular sclerosis and six lymphocyte depleted subtypes. pRb expression was seen in lymphocytes, mononuclear Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg cells in 67 of the cases. From this study it appears that pRb expression is seen in the majority of cases of Hodgkin's disease: 67/71 (94.4 per cent). Thirty-nine of 43 cases (90.7 per cent) of EBV positive cases were also positive for pRb. The results of this study indicate that pRb immunoexpression is detected in the vast majority of cases of Hodgkin's disease, and that this expression is independent of the EBV status of the case.
Department of Pathology, University of Natal School of Medicine, Durban, South Africa.
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Chetty
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Bickhoo
D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins