EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS LMP-1 POSITIVITY IN HODGKIN LYMPHOMA SUBTYPES, IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is commonly associated with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Our aim was to detect Epstein Barr virus LMP-1 antigen in subtypes of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma in Peshawar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.
Material & Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Peshawar Medical College (PMC), Peshawar and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad. It included 50 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed on lymph node biopsy from August 2007 to August 2013. Hematoxylin and eosin stain for light microscopy was done at PMC. Immunohistochemistry for EBV was performed at PIMS, Islamabad. Demographic variables were gender, age in years and age groups. Research variables were; HL subtypes and EBV LMP-1 antigen status. Age in groups had 4 attributes of <15,16-34, 35-49 and >50 years. EBV had 2 attributes of positive and negative. All variables were categorical except age in years and were expressed as frequency and percentages , whereas age in years (numeric) as mean and SD. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 19. The difference between positive and negative EBV LMP1 receptor status were analyzed for statistical significance using Fischer’s exact test. Probability value p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of patients was 27.12 years with a male predominance 33 (66%). Mixed Cellularity was the commonest type 31 (62%) followed by Nodular Sclerosis 12 (24%), Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for EBV antigen was positive in 40 (80%) of cases. The maximum number of positivity was seen in Mixed Cellularity type 29 (72.5%) followed by Nodular Sclerosis 9 (22.5%). The p-value was significant for EBV antigen positivity in the subtypes of Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Conclusion: EBV is a major risk factor for Mixed Cellularity and Nodular Sclerosis subtypes of Hodgkin Lymphoma in KPK Province of Pakistan.