THE ROLE OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS SUBTYPES IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOMA

High grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is an increasingly impo rtant problem in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Fifty percent of these tumours harbour the Epstein-Barr v irus (EBV) and there is an equal frequency of EBV A and B-subtypes in the tumours. This contrasts with the recent report that only A-type EB V is associated with Hodgkin's disease. Such studies are challenging t he traditional models of EBV-associated lymphomagenesis and showing th e way for further studies in this field. This article reviews the stud ies of EBV subtypes in HIV-associated NHL and uses this new knowledge to discuss the role of EBV in lymphomagenesis.