Detection of oncogenic viruses (EBV, HHV8 e SV40) paraffin embedded tissue of human malignant lymphomas, and correlation with clinicopathological data

Abstract

The most commonly studied oncogenic viruses related to human neoplasia are the human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), and Simian Virus-40 (SV40). The frequency of detection of EBV in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma has been reported as lower in industrialized than in developing countries, a fact that was confirmed in previous Brazilian reports. Likewise, EBV is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma in Brazil, in a frequency placed between that of developed (20-30%) and African countries (virtually 100%). HHV-8 has been detected in tonsils and adenoids from healthy children, and, sometimes, in immunosuppressed individuals. It has been also related to some lymphoid neoplasms, as the primary effusion lymphoma and the lymphoma related to Castleman disease. The relationship between SV40 and neoplasia, particularly lymphoma, has been matter of debate. In a previous study by our group, this virus has been detected by immunohistochemistry in 61% of mesotheliomas. However, no study relating SV-40 and lymphoma has been performed in our country. The analysis of the geographic distribution of oncogenic viruses may contribute to future studies on the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. Objective: To detect EBV, HHV8, and SV40 in malignant lymphomas, using immunohistochemistry and in situ hibridization on paraffin embedded archival tissue, and to evaluate their relationship with clinicopathological features, as age, sex, histological types, stage of the disease, and immunological status of the patients. Hypothesis: As it has been demonstrated for EBV in Hodgkin's and Burkitt's lymphomas in our country, the frequency of detection of these viruses among all lymphoma types should be higher than reported in developed countries, especially in very young and aged individuals, as well as in immunocompromised patients. (AU)