DETECTION OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS IN THE L-CELLS AND H-CELLS OF NODULARLYMPHOCYTE PREDOMINANCE HODGKINS-DISEASE - REPORT OF A CASE DOCUMENTED BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL, IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION, AND POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION METHODS

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is commonly present in the neoplasti c Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells of the mixed cellularity, nodular s clerosis, and lymphocyte depletion types of Hodgkin's disease (HD), EB V is rare in the neoplastic cells of the nodular lymphocyte predominan ce type of HD, particularly in the United States. We describe a 19-yea r-old Hispanic man in whom nodular lymphocyte predominance HD involved a cervical lymph node. Epstein-Barr virus was identified in the neopl astic L & H cells by using in situ hybridization for EBV RNA and immun ohistochemical staining for EBV latent membrane protein-1. Polymerase chain reaction studies demonstrated the type A strain of EBV. The pres ence of EBV in this case may be related to drainage of the virus from the oropharynx to the cervical lymph node. The presence of EBV also ma y be related to this patient's Hispanic ethnic origin.