Variation in the frequency of Epstein–Barr virus-associated Hodgkin's disease with age

Abstract

A number of studies in developed countries have reported variation in the frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated Hodgkin's disease (HD) with age. A 'three disease' model for HD that incorporates the EBV association, histological subtype of HD and age has recently been proposed. In this model, Hodgkin's disease of childhood and older adults is commonly EBV-associated and of mixed cellularity type, whereas young adult HD is generally not EBV-associated and is usually characterised by nodular sclerosis disease. A case series of HD diagnosed in the West Midlands between 1981 and 1997, inclusive, was used to investigate the applicability of the 'three disease' model. In situ hybridisation for the EBV early RNAs (EBERs) was used to determine the presence of EBV in the malignant Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells. In contrast to the 'three disease' model, nodular sclerosis was the predominant subtype in each of the age groups within the case series. In addition, overall there was little variation in EBV-positive rates across the age ranges examined. However, when females were analysed separately, older women (45؉ years) were significantly more likely to have EBV-positive disease than their younger counterparts (Ͻ45 years). In summary our results do not generally support the 'three disease' model. Leukemia (2000) 14, 748-753.

Body Size, Physical Activity, and Risk of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Women

“…EBV, an established oncogenic herpesvirus, has been detected in the tumor cells of some HL patients (2,3,23), and HL epidemiology varies by EBV tumor-cell presence (24)(25)(26). Therefore, we (R.F.A., R.B.M., and J.AD.)…”

Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability of Epstein – Barr Virus Detection in Hodgkin Lymphoma using Histochemical Procedures

“…Studies using these assays have identified a wide range in the percent of HL tumors associated with EBV [4]. In part, this range results from differences in the populations examined, as EBV prevalence in HL varies by tumor histologic subtype and patient characteristics [5,6,8]. However, in a study combining data from 14 laboratories, significant differences in EBV prevalence in HL tumors also were found among the laboratories even after variation in tumor and patient features was accounted for [5].…”

CEPP regimen (cyclophosphamide, etoposide, procarbazine and prednisone) as initial treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma patients presenting with severe abnormal liver function

“…The diagnosis of cHL was confirmed for both patients on second hospital admission. EBV infection in HL is common [21-25]. Hepatic involvement is seen at presentation in 6-20% of the HL patients.…”