Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Quantification: An Adjunctive Diagnostic Marker for AIDS-Associated Lymphoma

Abstract

We report an HIV-positive patient who developed a unilateral retinitis and subsequent intracranial lesions. The finding of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA at a > 1-log greater concentration in the vitreous compared to blood raised the possibility of a primary CNS non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was subsequently confirmed on brain biopsy. EBV DNA quantification acted as a diagnostic marker that led to a change in the management of our patient.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• retinitis
• EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)
• non-Hodgkin's lymphoma