Warthin's tumour is not an Epstein-Barr virus related disease

Background: The histogenesis of Walthin's tumour (WT) is controversial. A p ossible role for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been suggested Materials and Methods: Twenty formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of WT from the parotid gland were examined for the presence of EBV. In situ hybridisation was performed using EBV encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBER1/2) probes labell ed with fluorescent isothiocyanate. An EBV-positive P3HR-1 cell line proces sed to paraffin wax was wed as a positive control and a blain section as ne gative control. Results: EBER1/2 could not be found in the neoplastic epith elial cells in any of the tumours not. in the adjacent normal parotid tissu es. Individual positive lymphocytes were present in 7 tumours. Conclusions: These results indicated that EBV is not involved in the pathogenesis of WT .