Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in HIV-infected Patients

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many lymphoprolifer-ations arising in diverse settings, including HIV-infection. The precise roles of EBV may differ between these settings. For example, both the frequencies of EBV-association and the specific c-MYC translocations differ between sporadic and African Burkitt's lymphoma. Similarly, the frequencies of EBV-association in HIV-infected patients differs between anatomical sites, types of NHL, and geographic locations. HIV-related NHL have genetic alterations similar to NHL arising in the general population, and have less in common with the lym-phoproliferations which arise in the setting of transplantation. However, the patterns of latent EBV transcription in systemic HIV-related NHL is unique among NHL, suggesting that EBV may contribute differently to their pathogenesis.

Key Words:

• AIDS
• EBV
• immunosuppression
• Lymphoma