title: Epstein-Barr virus DNA load in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with AIDS-related lymphoma.
abstract: Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related brain lymphoma. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to quantify EBV DNA in CSF and plasma from 42 patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Twenty patients had primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and 22 systemic NHL, including 12 with central nervous system involvement (CNS-NHL). As controls, 16 HIV-infected patients with other CNS disorders were examined. EBV DNA was detected in the CSF from 16/20 (80%) patients with PCNSL, 7/22 (32%) with systemic NHL, 8/12 (67%) with CNS-NHL, and 2/16 (13%) of the controls. The viral EBV DNA levels were significantly higher in the CSF from patients with PCNSL or CNS-NHL compared to patients with systemic NHL or controls. EBV DNA was detected in plasma from 5/16 (31%) patients with PCNSL, 9/16 (56%) with systemic NHL, 4/9 (44%) with CNS-NHL, and 4/15 (27%) controls. No difference in plasma viral load was found between patient groups. From the patients with CNS-NHL, plasma samples drawn prior to CNS involvement contained significantly higher EBV DNA levels than those from systemic NHL patients without subsequent CNS involvement. EBV DNA levels in the CSF, but not in plasma, from patients treated with antiherpes drugs were significantly lower than in untreated patients. High CSF EBV DNA levels were found in HIV-associated brain lymphomas and the viral load can be clinically useful. High plasma EBV DNA levels might predict CNS involvement in systemic NHL.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. bossolasco.simona@hsr.it
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bossolasco
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cinque
authors.forename: Maurilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponzoni
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Vigano
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazzarin
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: Kerstin I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015774:Ganciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir