Objective: To observe the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in a group of patients with midline malignant reticulosis (MMR).
Method: DNA-RNA in situ hybridization was used to detect EBER and immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expression of latent membrane protein (LMP) and immunophenotype of atypical lymphoid cells (ALCs) in 37 cases of MMR; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect EBV-DNA in 15 cases.
Results: (1) ALCs were positive for EBER 1/2 in 31/37(83.8%) cases; EBV-DNA was detected in 12/15(77.8%) cases; LMP was expressed in some ALCs in 5/19(26.3%) cases. (2) ALCs in 20/37(54.1%) gave both positive reactions to CD3 and CD56 antigens.
Conclusion: A higher percentage of EBV infection was detected in this group of MMR, its ALCs expressed not only T-cell markers, but also NK-associated antigen, CD56. The presence of EBV infection in different kinds of lymphoproliferative disorders is reviewed and discussed.