Detection of Epstein-Barr virus genome in primary cutaneous T and B cell lymphomas and pseudolymphomas

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome has recently been identified in Hodgkin's disease (HD) and nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). In order to elucidate the possible aetiopathogenetic role of EBV in benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders we investigated skin specimens from 24 patients with a primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (10 T-cell lymphomas 6 B-cell lymphomas and 8 pseudolymphomas) and from 22 normal individuals for the presence of EBV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and in situ hybridization (ISH) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. EBV DNA was identified by PCR in one of two cases of mycosis fungoides, in one of seven cases of pleomorphic T-cell lymphomas, in one case of centroblastic (CB) lymphoma of six B-cell lymphomas, and in three of eight pseudolymphomas. The EBV genome was also found in 2 of 22 specimens of normal skin. The small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBERs, were not detected in any PCR-positive sample by ISH. Based on our PCR and ISH findings, EBV does not seem to play a significant role in the development of cutaneous lymphomas.

Head and neck lesions of Kimura's disease: Exclusion of human herpesvirus-8 and Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction. An immunohistochemical study

“…This influences activities of various cell types, including the formation of permanent lymphoblastoid lines, and the proliferation and activation of dermal lymphocytes (Nogore et al, 2000). However, the result of that report may be a falsepositive because EBV DNA is detectable, although in a low titre, in normal human skin (Peris et al, 1994). In our study, we analysed LMP1-EBV which is an EBV-induced oncogenic protein critical for B-lymphocyte proliferation in humans and fibroblastic transformation in rodents (Izumi et al, 1999).…”

CD8+ T lymphocytes reactive against Epstein-Barr virus antigens in skin lesions of a patient with Sézary syndrome

“…One of the hypotheses in the development of the cutaneous T-cell infiltrate is that a virus such as EBV could induce or maintain these T cells' proliferation in the skin by a chronic antigenic stimulation. 6,8,11 Although conflicting results have been obtained regarding the presence or absence of the EBV genome in CTCL lesional skin, [9][10][11][12]14,16 the implication of this virus was first proposed several years ago, based on several clinical studies demonstrating increased anti-EBV antibody titers in the sera of patients with CTCL. 7,8 These serologic EBV results were similar to those noted in patients with cellular immune deficiency or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.…”

“…Nevertheless, studies are still rare and results remain much debated. [6][7][8][9][10][12][13][14][15][16][17] The aim of our study was to determine whether EBVspecific T lymphocytes were detectable among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) extracted from the lesional skin of a patient with SS.…”

“…It is characterized by two forms of infection: a latency form, essentially present in B lymphocytes; and a replicative form, which originates the production of new viral particles. [5][6][7][8][9] Some previous studies indicate that this virus could play a role in the physiopathology of CTCL. Indeed, the presence of EBV by immunohistochemistry has been detected in the skin of patients with CTCL.…”

Prevalence of mycosis fungoides and its association with EBV and HTLV-1 in Pakistanian patients

“…3 MF is characterized immunohistochemically by the presence of (CD 3+) T cell expressing a T-helper/inducer cell immunophenotype (CD4+), with only rare cases having a T-suppressor cell immunophenotype (CD8+).4 Break points in chromosomes 1,9,14, and 17 and abnormalities involving the gene for the TcR ex (14q 11) have been noted frequently in patients with ME S Kanavaros et al 6 and Peris et al 7 have shown no significant role for EBV in the development of cutaneous lymphoma. Whereas Dreno et al have reported 32% prevalence of EBV in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.…”