Examination of mycosis fungoides for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus-6 by polymerase chain reaction

Background The aetiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) remains unknow n despite numerous investigations. In recent years, retroviruses and human herpesviruses have been implicated to play a causal part in CTCL. Objective The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible aetiopathogen etic role of human herpesviruses (HHV) in mycosis fungoides (MF). Methods Polymerase chain reaction was used to study formalin-fixed, paraffi n-embedded lesional skin biopsies from 92 subjects with MF to evidence poss ible presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HHV-6. Results Biopsy specimens from nine subjects (9.8%) evidenced EBV DNA, where as all except one of the subjects (1.1%) lacked HHV-6 DNA. Conclusions Although these findings do not support a primary aetiological r ole for EBV and HHV-6 in classical CTCL, the possibility remains that both viruses, particularly EBV, may act as potential cofactors in the developmen t of CTCL.