Epstein-Barr virus and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A study in Kermanshah, Iran

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is highly associated with specific subtypes of malignant lymphoma such as types of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of EBV in NHL and its association with clinical parameters. Patients and Methods: twenty cases entered to our study. After re-blocking of previous paraffin embedded specimens, new slides were prepared and DNA was extracted. DNA contents were confirmed by spectrophotometery. Then PCR assay was used for total DNA and its product evaluate for presence of EBV by electrophoresis. Results: The mean age at diagnosis for all patients was 45±13 years (range, 28-73) years that 12 patients (60%) were male. Based on histopathology reports, 13 patients (65%) had immunoblastic Lymphoma, 5 (25%) had burkitt Lymphoma and 2 (10%) had LL (lymphoblastic Lymphoma). Conclusion: There is no EBV infection in NHL patients with LLs and percent of EBV infection in our study is lower than other studies.