EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS IN LINGUAL EPITHELIUM OF LIVER-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Thirty-three liver transplant patients and 20 controls were examined f or the presence of EBV in epithelium of the lateral border of the tong ue by negative staining electron microscopy. Five of the specimens (15 %) showed particles typical of the herpes virus family, while all cont rols were negative for EBV In 3 of the 5 patients moderate oral hairy leukoplakia was observed clinically. Our results indicate that EBV may be expressed at the lateral border of the tongue of liver transplant patients, who in some cases show oral hairy leukoplakia clinically.