Abstract
Aims: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is known to aid in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We studied HL using an antibody panel for Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs) to find which antibody would be most useful for identification of RSCs. We also studied the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) with HL in South India. Methods: Lymph node biopsies of 100 cases of untreated HL were included in this study. Antibodies against CD15, CD30, CD3, CD20 (L26), CD45 (LCA), EMA and EBV LMP-1 were used for paraffin section IHC. Results: Of the 100 cases of HL, the RSCs stained with CD30 (93%), CD15 (67%), CD20 (17%) and CD3 (2%). EBV LMP-1 was positive in 82 (82%) cases, most often in the nodular sclerosis subtype, 43 (86%) cases. Conclusions: (1) Of the panel of antibodies, CD30 was the most useful in identifying RSCs in classical HL. (2) EBV LMP-1 was demonstrated in 82% of all cases of HL and in 96% of childhood cases. Abbreviations: CHL, classical Hodgkin's lymphoma; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; HL, Hodgkin's lymphoma; IHC, immunohistochemistry; L&H, lymphocytic and histiocytic; LD, lymphocyte depletion; MC, mixed cellularity; NLPHL, nodular lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's lymphoma; NS, nodular sclerosis; RSCs, Reed-Sternberg cells.