Epstein-Barr virus distribution in Hodgkin's disease in an unselected Swedish population

All patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) (n = 117) identified in the Uppsal a/Orebro region of Sweden between 1985 and 1988 were examined for the prese nce of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cel ls. EBV was detected with LMP-1 immunostaining and in situ hybridization fo r EBERs. Overall, 32 (27%) rumours were EBV-positive but there a ere signif icant differences in EBV-positivity between histopathological subgroups (p = 0.03). In MC, 8/21 (38%) were positive, in NS 20/67 (23%), LD 3/3, LP 1/5 , and in unclassified 0/1. Patients with EBV-positive rumours were signific antly older, mean 52 vs. 42 years (p = 0.02), and were likely to have signi ficantly more B-symptoms or advanced stage disease. Patients with EBV-posit ive rumours tended to have a poorer survival rate (p = 0.11). The proportio n of EBV-positive rumours. and especially the proportion of EBV-positive MC , was lower than previously reported. This could be explained by selection of patients from previous studies, or by differences in EBV-positivity in d ifferent geographical or ethnic populations of HD.