In situ detection of PCR-amplified HIV-1 and EBV nucleic acids in hyperplastic lymph nodes and in AIDS-related lymphoma

The purpose of this study was to determine the in situ distribution of PCR-amplified HIV-1 and EBV DNA in hyperplastic lymph nodes and in AIDS-related lymphomas. PCR-amplified HIV-1 DNA was detected, on average, in about 30% and 20% of the CD4 and CD21 dendritic cells, respectively, in and around the expanded germinal centers of hyperplastic lymph nodes in seropositive, asymptomatic people. PCR-amplified EBV DNA was noted, on average, in about 20% of L26 B-cells. The amplified HIV-1 DNA was noted in race non-neoplastic cells in five AIDS-related lymphomas; the other three cases were negative for the viral DNA. Amplified EBV DNA was detected in five of eight lymphomas but in only three of these tissues did the viral DNA localize to the malignant cells. We conclude that although many cells in hyperplastic lymph nodes from people with early HIV-1 infection contain HIV-1 and EBV DNA, these viruses are often absent in the malignant cells of AIDS-related lymphoma. This suggests that although infection by these viruses and the concomitant lymphoid hyperplasia may predispose to lymphoma, the viruses are not required for maintenance of the malignant phenotype.