Introduction: The occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus associated Hodgkin's lymphoma shows considerable variation from continent to continent and from country to country but in Hungary no such investigations have been performed so far.
Aim: The authors analyse the presence of Epstein-Barr virus and the type of latency in histologic samples taken from Hodgkin's disease patients.
Method: They have analyzed the presence of virus using PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry.
Results: Out of 109 cases, 61 patients (56%) showed virus positivity by PCR while latent membrane protein 1 positivity was found in 47 cases (43%). As regards to gender ratio, 53% female and 58% male patients were virus positive by PCR. Epstein-Barr virus association did not show any alteration in children (1-14 years) when compared to that of adults (out of the 10 children 6 were positive by PCR). As regards to the lifestyle of Epstein-Barr virus positive patients, the incidence of smoking and the ratio of poor social conditions were significantly higher. Mixed cell type was the most frequent (65%) in these patients and Epstein-Barr PCR virus positivity was highest in this type (60%), primarily in age groups 11-20 and over 51 years. Epstein-Barr virus PCR positivity was 52% in nodular sclerosis (negative cases cumulated in the age group 15-30 years), other histologic subtypes could not be evaluated due to the small number of cases. On examining Hodgkin's lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus association disease models, they could not categorize their patients into any of them though characteristic patient groups could be more or less observed also in their material. This may be explained by the socioeconomic differences of the population living under different economic conditions.
Conclusion: These results indicate that Epstein-Barr infection may play an important role in the development of Hodgkin's lymphoma in Hungary, too.