Absence of Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA and latent membrane protein (LMP1) in salivary gland neoplasms

A series of 55 (42 benign and 13 malignant) salivary gland tumours were inv estigated by immunohistochemistry, to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) laten t membrane protein (LMP1) and by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA. Non-neoplastic gland from all the patients with tumours and 15 control gla nds were also examined. All cases, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic were negative for LMP1 and failed to show any positive signal by in situ hybridi zation for EBV RNA. One undifferentiated carcinoma from a European patient was included in the group. These results confirm previous reports of an eth nic association between EBV and undifferentiated carcinomas of the salivary gland. They do not support an aetiological role for EBV in other salivary gland tumours.