Reactivation of latent Epstein Barr virus infection induces remission of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes.
Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) is a rare, slowly progressing, lymphoproliferative disease of B-cell origin. Treatment aimed at cure or remission is limited, and spontaneous remission has not been described. We report on a patient who after 4 years with untreated SLVL developed symptoms of mononucleosis and was found to have reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. During recovery from the EBV infection, complete remission from SLVL developed and lasted for 3 years, suggesting that the EBV infection induced an immune response that caused the SLVL remission.
Hansson
Markus
M
Department of Hematology, C14, BMC, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden. Markus.Hansson@med.lu.se
Linde
Annika
A
Olsson
Inge
I
D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation