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Epstein-Barr virus findings in Hodgkin's disease Volume 1, issue 3, Mai - Juin 1995

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Authors
Groupe d'étude des lymphomes malins et Centre d'Immunopathologie et de Génétique humaine (UPR 8291) (PB, FM, BM, FB, GD), Service d'Hématologie clinique (DS), Département de Médecine interne, CHUV, Lausanne Suisse(HK).

Technical refinements have led to the detection of the genome and gene products of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells of Hodgkin's disease. The genome is present in an episomal and clonal form in RS cells. The infected cells are characterised by type 2 latency (EBNA1+, EBNA2­, LMP1+, LMP2+ RNA EBER+). The signs of viral replication (BZLF1+, BHLF1+, BLLF1+) however, are observed only rarely. The detection rate of EBV in Hodgkin's (overall about 40 %), varies according to the histologic subtype of the disease. The highest rate of detection is observed in the mixed cellularity subtype (60 %). In EBV+ cases, the serologic profile is that of usual post-primary infection. To date, no clear differences have emerged in the clinical behaviour, stage of disease, response to treatment and survival, between EBV+ and EBV­ Hodgkin's disease. A significant difference however, is the greater frequency of EBV+ Hodgkin's in males (M : F ratio of 2 : 1). The demonstration of point mutations and deletions in the carboxy terminal region of the LMP1 gene have allowed the isolation of viral strains that appear to be associated with more aggressive form of the disease. Such mutations, used as markers of clonality, have identified that recurrence of the disease in certain cases, is not only due to the same viral strain but also probably due to the expansion of the same tumor cell clone.