AGGRESSIVE CUTANEOUS T-CELL LYMPHOMA ASSO CIATED WITH EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS - 2 CASES

Introduction. The factors of prognosis of the cutaneous T-cell lymphom as are less well known as those of the B-cell lymphomas and the role o f the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is not yet definitively evaluated. Case reports. Two male patients aged 62 and 82 years had a mycosis fungoid es with a lethal outcome. The first patient had mutilating facial rumo urs; the RNA m of EBV and the genome of EBV were demonstrated in the d iseased skin. The second patient had an erythrodermic course with enla rged peripheral lymph nodes and circulating Sezary's cells; the genome of EBV was demonstrated by PCR in the diseased skin. Discussion. The role of the EBV has already been demonstrated in peripheral aggressive T-cell lymphomas. In the mycosis fungoides, the EBV is associated wit h the lesions in 0 to 32 p. cent according to the published series. EB V associated T-cell lymphomas have a poor survival rate and the EBV in fection may be associated with the expression of the multidrug resista nt gene-1 (MDR-1) and the risk of a terminal hemophagocytosis. In our both patients the presence of the EBV in the lymphocytes of the skin l esions is also an argument in favour of the pathogenic role of the vir us.