Possible roles of Epstein-Barr virus in Castleman disease.
BACKGROUND
Complete resection seemed to be curative in patients with Castleman disease of any location but the disease is likely to be reactive in its pathogenesis. The relation between Epstein-Barr virus and Castleman disease has not been elucidated. We tried to define the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of Castleman disease.


METHODS
20 cases of Castleman disease were retrospectively reviewed from 1993 to 2006. At least 2 to 4 representative sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from each patient were obtained to examine the presence of EBV and its localization by hematoxylin-eosin stain, immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction and In-situ hybridization


RESULTS
Hyaline-vascular type was diagnosed in 18 cases, plasma cell type in 1 and mixed type in 1 case. All of them were positive for Epstein-Barr virus confirmed by PCR. For tumors that EBER(Epstein-Barr early region) signals mainly localized in the germinal centers have increased vascularity than cases with EBER detected in inter-follicular areas.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a strong association between Castleman disease and Epstein-Barr virus. EBV may have a potential role in angiogenesis of Castleman disease. For smaller lesion with high activity of angiogenesis but not amenable for curative resection, anti-angiogenesis medications may have a potential role to control the disease.
Chen
Chih-Hao
CH
Department of General Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan. musclenet2003@yahoo.com.tw
Liu
Hung-Chang
HC
Hung
Tzu-Ti
TT
Liu
Tsang-Pai
TP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D004279:DNA, Viral