EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS AND HODGKINS-DISEASE - FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR THE 3 DISEASE HYPOTHESIS

The epidemiology of Hodgkin's disease suggests that it is a heterogene ous condition comprising more than one disease entity. The Epstein-Bar r Virus (EBV) is present in the Reed-Sternberg cells of a proportion o f cases and is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of these case s. In this study we show that EBV association rates vary with age at d iagnosis. We suggest that Hodgkin's disease can be divided into three disease entities on the basis of EBV association and age, thereby prov iding biological support for the multiple aetiology hypothesis propose d by MacMahon (Cancer Res 1966; 26: 1189-1290).