Is there a relationship between the detection of human herpesvirus 8 and Epstein-Barr virus in Waldeyer's ring tissues?
OBJECTIVE
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are human pathogens associated to a number of neoplasms, including tumors of the Waldeyer's ring. Both viruses have been previously detected by in situ methods in tonsils and adenoids from children. HHV-8 was found in 6.8% of the cases and EBV in about one third of the cases. As they belong to the same gamma-herpesvirus subfamily and share some biological characteristics, it is of medical interest to further explore their possible relationship in the Waldeyer's ring, an issue not yet addressed in the specialized literature. The purpose of the present study is to compare the presence of EBV by in situ hybridization (ISH) in tonsils and adenoids from children up to 14 years of age in cases previously shown to be positive and negative for HHV-8.


METHODS
Paraffin wax-embedded sections consisting of 38 tonsils and two adenoids from 40 patients were analyzed. HHV-8 was detected by ISH, using the T1-1 probe for the viral mRNA. EBV was also detected by ISH, using the EBER probe. Both probes and the detection systems were provided by Novocastra.


RESULTS
HHV-8 was detected in 19 tonsils and one adenoid. The other 19 tonsils and one adenoid taken from the HHV-8-negative group were selected by pairing age and gender of patients with the HHV-8-positive group. In both groups EBV was detected in 13 cases and was negative in other 7.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both viruses are related in many aspects, some biological and epidemiological features differ. This is reflected in the present results, as EBV is similarly detected in the groups negative and positive for HHV-8, favoring different mechanisms of spread.
Chagas
Cristiano Aparecido
CA
Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Centro de Assistência Integral à Saúde da Mulher, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Endo
Luiza Hayashi
LH
Dos-Santos
Washington Luís Conrado
WL
Pinto
Glauce Aparecida
GA
Sakano
Eulália
E
Brousset
Pierre
P
Vassallo
José
J
D000234:Adenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding
D004279:DNA, Viral