Detection of Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 7 and 8 genomes in primary cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas

Background Several studies have investigated the possible involvement of vi ral agents, particularly herpesviruses, in primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) . Objectives Our aim was to screen for the presence of human herpesvirus 7 (H HV-7) and 8 (HHV-8) genomes in samples of PCL, and to determine if their pr esence was independent of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Methods Screening was performed using polymerase chain reaction assay in 64 skin samples from historical lesional tissues with PCL. Results Only nine cases showed positivity for HHV-7: four of 29 mycosis fun goides (MF), two of four CD30-positive large-cell cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), two of 12 follicle centre cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) and one of nine marginal zone CBCL, Fifteen cases tested positive for EBV: seven o f 29 ME two of four pleomorphic small/medium sized CTCL, three of three ang iocentric CTCL, one of 12 follicle centre CBCL and two of nine marginal zon e CBCL. All cases were uniformly negative for HHV-8. No simultaneous positi vity was found for EBV and HHV-7. Controls tested negative for all viruses. Conclusions The findings indicate that EBV, HHV-7 and HHV-8 seem not to be involved in the pathogenesis of PCL.