Prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in malignant lymphoid tumors in Basrah

Abstract EN

Background: Different factors (genetic and environmental) appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas and one of these factors is Epstein Barr virus.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Epstein Barr virus in Malignant Lymphoid tumors in Basrah Method: Cross-sectional study of fifty-six cases of malignant lymphomas (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) were collected.

The initial diagnosis and subtyping of malignant lymphomas were performed by the microscopical examination of the hematoxylin and eosin stained sections.

Then immunohistochemistry for Epstein Barr virus, Latent membrane protein was done.

Results: A total of 56 cases diagnosed as malignant lymphomas, 37 cases (66.1%) were Hodgkin lymphomas and 19 cases (33.9%) were Non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

For Epstein Barr virus (Latent membrane protein) immunohistochemistry, 18 of 37 cases (48.6%) of Hodgkin Lymphomas and 6 of 16 cases (31.6%) of Non Hodgkin Lymphomas had positive viral expression.

Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin Lymphomas and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas were the commonest subtypes that showed Epstein Barr virus expression (64% and 37.7% respectively).

The immunohistochemical viral expression was more among those less than 50 years and male sex in both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas.

Conclusion: The high expression of Latent membrane protein -1 confirms the association of the virus with malignant lymphomas, especially in Hodgkin lymphomas.