COEXISTENCE OF THE A-TYPE AND B-TYPE OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS DNA IN LYMPH-NODE BIOPSIES FROM ALGERIAN PATIENTS WITH HODGKINS-DISEASE AND NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

The association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Hodgkin's disease (HD ) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was examined in Algerian patients. The DNA extracted from fresh lymph node biopsies of 17 HD and five NHL was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifteen out of 17 bi opsies (88%) from HD contained EBV genome. Viral type analysis showed the coexistence of A and B types of EBV in 14 biopsies (93%), and the sole presence of A type virus in one biopsy. Among five NHL biopsies e xamined, four biopsies contained both A and B types of EBV, while one revealed A type-virus only. This co-infection of Algerian HD and NHL p atients does not seem to be related with any histologic form of these diseases. The analysis of viral types in the saliva from 12 Algerian h ealthy individuals revealed six EBV positives with only one A type. Tw o types of lymphoma in Algeria therefore are closely associated with E BV, and are characterized by coinfection with A and B types of EBV.