Simultaneous occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus associated Hodgkin's disease and HHV-8 related multicentric Castleman's disease: a fortuitous event?

Previous serological or molecular studies by means of the polymerase chain reaction have failed to show an association between classic Hodgkin's disease (HD) and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Using immunohistochemistry, this study reexamines (with anti-LNA1 antibody) the possible association of HHV-8 with HD, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. HHV-8 was not detected in the Reed Sternberg cells of the cases examined (33 HIV negative and 17 HIV positive), thus confirming the lack of involvement of HHV-8 in HD. Interestingly, a case of HHV-8 positive multicentric Castleman's disease was associated with Epstein-Barr virus positive HD in the same lymph node, which was probably a fortuitous occurrence.