Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in lower gastrointestinal tract lymphomas: A study in Malaysian patients

Asmah M. Yunos, Hasnan Jaafar, Fauziah M. Idris, Gurjeet Kaur, Mohamed J.E.M.F. Mabruk*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Many studies in the literature have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several human lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. However, the prevalence of EBV in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract has not been fully elucidated. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the presence and distribution of EBV in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples obtained from 18 Malaysian patients diagnosed with NHL of the lower GI tract. Methods: The GI tract lymphoma tissue samples analyzed for the presence of EBV were divided into the following groups: NHL of the small intestine (seven cases); NHL of the ileocecum (ten cases); and NHL of the rectum (one case). The presence of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in all of the above tissue samples was tested for using conventional in situ hybridization technology. Results: Two of 18 cases (11.1%) of NHL of the lower GI tract demonstrated positive signals for EBV/EBER. In the first positive case, EBV/EBER signals were located in lymphoma cells in the serosa layer of the small intestine. In the second EBV/EBER-positive case, EBV/EBER signals were detected in diffuse B-cell lymphoma of the ileocecum. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate a rare association between EBV and lower GI tract lymphomas in this group of Malaysian patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-256
Number of pages6
JournalMolecular Diagnosis and Therapy
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

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