Evaluation of HTLV-I and HCV Prevalence in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a lymphoproliferative malignancy in which cells undergo microscopic changes with unknown etiology, and risk factors such as age, sex, genetic and environmental factors are involved. The relationship between the presence of infectious agents and the development of lymphoproliferative diseases has been an interesting research topic. HTLV-I (Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1) predisposes the infected individulas to opportunistic neoplasms and lymphoid malignancies. HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) the etiologic agent of hepatitis C, is hepatotropic, and long-term infection with HCV can continuously stimulate and expand lymphocyte clones, resulting in further transformation and finally aggressive malignancies.


METHODS
54 tissue samples diagnosed with NHL were selected to be studied for the presence of HTLV-I and HCV viruses. DNA and RNA were extracted from samples, cDNA was synthesized and using specific primers presence of HTLV-I and HCV viruses were investigated by PCR and nested RT-PCR methods.


RESULTS
In 10 out of 54 (18.8%) samples (7 men and 3 women), HTLV-I was present, and 4 out of 54 (7.4%) samples (3 men and one woman) were positive for HCV.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, it is recommended that in patients with NHL, infection with HTLV-I and HCV viruses need to be screened.
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Maryam
M
Rastin
Department of Pathology, Imam Reza Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Ali Reza
AR
Khoee
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Nafiseh
N
Tabasi
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Akram
A
Sheikh
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Saeed
S
Ziaolhagh
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Elham
E
Esmaeeli
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Shahrzad
S
Zamani
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahdieh
M
Khazaee
Immunology Research Centre, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahmoud
M
Mahmoudi
Hepatitis C virus; Human T Lymphotropic Virus; Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma