HODGKINS-DISEASE IN MEXICO - PREVALENCE OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS SEQUENCES AND CORRELATIONS WITH HISTOLOGIC SUBTYPE

Background. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been linked to several hu man malignancies, including Hodgkin's disease (HD). In addition, epide miologic studies have shown differences in HD occurrence in different parts of the world. The authors studied 27 cases of Hodgkin's disease from Mexico to determine the prevalence of EBV in HD in this developin g nation. Methods. The Epstein-Barr virus was investigated using in si tu hybridization with the EBER1 probe. Immunohistochemical studies wer e performed on paraffin sections. Cases from both adult and pediatric age groups were included. Correlations with histologic subtype, clinic opathologic features, and immunophenotype were determined. Results. Ep stein-Barr virus sequences were identified in 18/27 (67%) cases. Posit ivity correlated with histologic subtype: 0/1 lymphocyte predominant; 6/13 (46%) nodular sclerosis; 7/7 mixed cellularity (MC) (100%); and 5 /6 (83%) lymphocyte depleted (LD), The proportion of cases classified as MC and LD (13 of 27) was greater than that found in the United Stat es and other developed countries. The immunophenotypic profile was app ropriate for Hodgkin's disease, with all cases of classic Hodgkin's di sease positive for CD30 (Ber-H2) and 18 cases expressing CD15. One cas e of lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease was CD20 (L26)-positive as were three cases of classic Hodgkin's disease. Patient age ranged f rom 5 to 65 years, with a median of 29 years. Conclusions. The EBV is associated highly with HD in Mexico, and this prevalence rate is found in all age groups. A strong correlation between EBV expression and hi stologic subtype was confirmed, with 92% of MC and LD subtypes found t o be positive.