MARKERS OF TYPE-D RETROVIRUSES IN CHILDREN WITH BURKITTS-TYPE LYMPHOMA

Antibodies to gag-coded proteins of type D retroviruses have been dete cted in children with lymphadenopathy [1]. We tested 41 HIV noninfecte d children with lymphoproliferative diseases (27 cases of Burkitt's-ty pe lymphoma, six cases of Hodgkin's disease, four cases of T-cell lymp homa, three cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma and one case of large-cell anaplastic lymphoma) for the presence of type D retroviral serologica l and genetical markers. Twenty-five healthy donors were tested as a c ontrol. DNA samples from peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting for the pre sence of type D retroviral related sequences. MPMV pro-pol specific se quences have been detected in 18 out of 27 children with Burkitt's-typ e lymphoma. By means of Western blotting, six patients positive in PCR /Southern blotting analysis were also found to contain Mason-Pfizer mo nkey virus (MPMV) specific antibodies, in their sera. All children wit h other lymphoproliferative diseases as well as healthy donors were ne gative in PCR/Southern blotting and Western blotting analysis. These d ata suggest the possible association of type D retroviral markers with Burkitt's-type lymphoma of children.