LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS - LACK OF A VIRAL ETIOLOGY

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an enigmatic histiocytic prolif erative disorder of unknown etiology that affects children primarily. We have investigated the possibility that viruses are etiological or t hat they have a ''triggering effect'' in LCH. Sensitive in situ hybrid ization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used in 56 cases of LCH. We sought and failed to find evidence of genomes for ad enovirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, h uman herpesvirus type 6, human immunodeficiency virus, human T-cell le ukemia virus types I and II, and parvovirus. Although some probes hybr idized to tissues from several cases, PCR failed to confirm the presen ce of viral genome in any. We conclude that there is no evidence that these viruses are associated with LCH. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.