HIGH-FREQUENCY OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS GENOME DETECTION IN HODGKINS-DISEASE OF HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS

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 out of 20 HIV‐negative patients with Hodgkin's disease. In both groups, Reed‐Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells were neg ative 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. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company