Cytomegalovirus and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Is There a Link?
BACKGROUND
Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare proliferative histiocytic disease of unknown etiology. Histologically, it is characterized by granuloma-like proliferation of Langerhans-type dendritic cells derived from bone marrow. Many investigators have suggested the possible role of viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, and Cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, we have investigated the presence of Cytomegalovirus in Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Iranian children.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, we have investigated the presence of Cytomegalovirus DNA expression, using paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 30 patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and 30 age and site-matched controls by qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.


RESULTS
No significant difference in prevalence of Cytomegalovirus presence between patients and controls was found. Cytomegalovirus was found by qualitative PCR in only 2 (6.66%) out of 30 patients and in 1 (3.3%) of 30 control samples with a P value of 1 (1.00 > 0.05) using chi-square test with OR: 2.07; 95% CI of OR: 0.18 - 24.15.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings do not support the hypothesis of a possible role for Cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Pediatric Pathology Research Center, Mofid Children's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Maliheh
M
Khoddami
Virology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Seyed-Alireza
SA
Nadji
Pediatric Infections Research Center, Mofid Children's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Paria
P
Dehghanian
Department of Pathology, Mofid Children's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mahsa
M
Vahdatinia
Department of Community Oral Health, Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Ahmad-Reza
AR
Shamshiri
Cytomegalovirus; Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction