Epstein Barr virus-associated lymphoma in HIV-infected children

PRECIADO, M. V.; PAOLA ANDREA CHABAY; CALCAGNO, L.; DE MATTEO, E

Pathology - Research and Practice

Elsevier

Año: 2002 vol. 198 p. 327 - 332

0344-0338

The relationship between Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and the human host is commonly benign, whereas the development of malignancy is most likely due to imbalance between the virus and host’s immune system. The aim of this study was to analyse EBV association with paediatric lymphomas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Four consecutive patients with a histological and clinical diagnosis of lymphomas among 351 paediatric HIV-infected children prospectively followed up at our hospital since 1991 were studied. Cases included one diffuse fibrosis lymphocyte depletion subtype Hodgkin´s lymphoma, 2 Burkitt´s lymphomas and one primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system. We assessed EBV presence by LMP-1 protein labelling by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation for EBERs in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsies from all four cases. All HIV-associated lymphomas studied were found to be associated to EBV. The lymphoproliferative action of EBV may induce oncogenesis by increasing the probability of genetic alterations and/or by expanding an already malignant clone. As an oncogenic protein LMP-1 expression by tumour cells supports the involvement of EBV in disease pathogenesis.