High frequency of Epstein-Barr virus genome detection in Hodgkin's disease of HIV-positive patients

• Published in: International journal of cancer Vol. 46; no. 4; p. 581
• Main Authors: Uccini, S, Monardo, F, Stoppacciaro, A, Gradilone, A, Aglianò, A M, Faggioni, A, Manzari, V, Vago, L, Costanzi, G, Ruco, L P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15-10-1990
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blotting, Southern; DNA, Viral - analysis; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - microbiology; Hodgkin Disease - etiology; Hodgkin Disease - microbiology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Nucleic Acid Hybridization
• ISSN: 0020-7136
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910460405

Lymph nodes obtained from 7 HIV-positive and 20 HIV-negative patients with Hodgkin's disease were examined for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus antigens and genome. EBV antigens were observed in only 2 out of 20 HIV-negative patients, whereas lymph nodes of HIV-positive patients did not reveal evidence of EBV antigens. By in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis, EBV genome was found in 5 out of 7 HIV-positive patients; the EBV genome was detected in the nucleus of Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells. EBV DNA was observed by in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis in only 3 out of 20 HIV-negative patients with Hodgkin's disease. In both groups, Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells were negative for C3d EBV receptor. Our results show a statistically significant increased expression of EBV DNA in HIV-positive patients with Hodgkin's disease, as compared with HIV-negative patients with HD.