Examination of mycosis fungoides for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus-6 by polymerase chain reaction.
BACKGROUND
The aetiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) remains unknown despite numerous investigations. In recent years, retroviruses and human herpesviruses have been implicated to play a causal part in CTCL.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible aetiopathogenetic role of human herpesviruses (HHV) in mycosis fungoides (MF).


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction was used to study formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lesional skin biopsies from 92 subjects with MF to evidence possible presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HHV-6.


RESULTS
Biopsy specimens from nine subjects (9.8%) evidenced EBV DNA, whereas all except one of the subjects (1.1%) lacked HHV-6 DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Although these findings do not support a primary aetiological role for EBV and HHV-6 in classical CTCL, the possibility remains that both viruses, particularly EBV, may act as potential cofactors in the development of CTCL.
Erkek
E
E
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. emelerkek@hotmail.com
Sahin
S
S
Atakan
N
N
Kocagöz
T
T
Olut
A
A
Gököz
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral