EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ASSOCIATED NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ma ny lymphoproliferations arising in diverse settings, including HIV-inf ection. The precise roles of EBV may differ between these settings. Fo r example, both the frequencies of EBV-association and the specific c- MYC translocations differ between sporadic and African Burkitt's lymph oma. Similarly, the frequencies of EBV-association in HIV-infected pat ients differs between anatomical sites, types of NHL, and geographic l ocations. HIV-related NHL have genetic alterations similar to NHL aris ing in the general population, and have less in common with the lympho proliferations which arise in the setting of transplantation. However, the patterns of latent EBV transcription in systemic HIV-related NHL is unique among NHL, suggesting that EBV may contribute differently to their pathogenesis.