title: Is there a relationship between the detection of human herpesvirus 8 and Epstein-Barr virus in Waldeyer's ring tissues?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Centro de Assistência Integral à Saúde da Mulher, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiano Aparecido
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chagas
authors.forename: Luiza Hayashi
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Washington Luís Conrado
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Dos-Santos
authors.forename: Glauce Aparecida
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Eulália
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakano
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brousset
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vassallo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral