Thin sections of biopsies from five patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma who possessed antibody to early antigen of EB virus were examined for the presence of EB virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) and EB virus DNA by cytological hybridization in situ. Both EBNA and EB virus DNA were found in the tumour cells of three of the patients. The present findings suggest an association between EB virus and supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx.

The authors describe malignant degeneration of the epithelial component of a cystadenolymphoma (CAL) of the parotid gland in a 79-year-old man. This development of carcinoma in CAL is a very rare occurrence, with only eight cases described thus far in the literature.

Sera from 18 tonsillar carcinoma patients and from 18 matched control subjects were examined for the presence of antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA) and nuclear antigen (EBNA) of EB virus. Antibodies to all three antigens were found more frequently and in significantly higher titres in the tonsillar carcinoma patients than in control subjects.

No changes in immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) and complement components C3 and C4 levels could be observed in patients suffering from both recurrent and acute nasal polyposis. However, in both groups of patients a significant decrease of the alternative pathway of complement activation (up to 80%) was found. In addition, patients suffering from the acute disease showed even decreased classical complement pathway (up to 20%). Examination of complement activation pathways was shown to be advantageous for the follow-up of the course of this disease.

No abstract