EVIDENCE OF EBV-DNA, HSV(I-DNA, HHV6- DNA, CMV-DNA, AND ADENOVIRUS-2E1A AND ADENOVIRIS-5E1B IN MUCOUS-MEMBRANE OF BRONCHOGENIC-CARCINOMA, PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA, SARCOIDOSIS, AND INTRINSIC ASTHMA(II))

With regard to the partially unknown etiology of bronchial carcinoma, pleural mesothelioma, sarcoidosis, and intrinsic asthma, the question was raised, whether Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus II-II (HS V), human herpes virus 6(HHV6), cytomegaly virus (CMV), and adenovirus 2E1A and 5E1B could possibly be detected in affected mucosa. In a pre liminary study, we tested biopsy material from 9 patients with bronchi al carcinoma of various histology; from 2 patients with pleural mesoth elioma; from 12 patients with sarcoidosis: from 2 patients with intrin sic asthma as well as mucosa from 7 healthy donors for EBV, HSV I+II, HHV6, CMV-DNA, adenovirus 2E1A and 5E1B. In bronchial carcinoma, EBV w as detected in 7/9, HSV (I+II) in 6/9, HHV6 in 6/9, CMV in 8/9, adenov irus 2E1A in 8/9 and adenovirus 5E1B in 8/9 cases. Out of the two mali gnant pleural mesothelioma tested, EBV was detected in one, HSV (I+II) in one, HHV6 in both, and adenovirus 2E1A in one. Both tested negativ e for CMV and adenovirus 5E1B. HSV I+II was detected in 1/12, HHV6 in 3/12, CVM in 6/12, adenovirus 2E1A in 4/12, and adenovirus 5E1B in ii 12 patients suffering from sarcoidosis. EBV could not be detected. Out of two patients with intrinsic asthma mucosa, both tested positive fo r HSV I+II, and one tested positive for CMV-DNA. EBV, adenovirus 2E1A and 5E1B could not be detected. The control group tested negative for EBV-, HSV (I+II)-, CMV-DNA, and adenovirus 2E1A and 5E1B. Identificati on of EBV HSV I+II, HHV6, CMV and of adenovirus 2E1A and 5E1B in mucos a of patients with bronchial carcinoma of various histology, malignant pleural mesothelioma, sarcoidosis, and intrinsic asthma suggests a po ssible viral cause for these diseases. Virus of herpes group can play a part in malignant transformation of cells. Therefore, the possible r ole of these viruses in the development of bronchial carcinoma and ple ural mesothelioma needs to be investigated.