Characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus isolated from the malignant lymphomas in Korea

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common herpes virus linked to a variety of human neoplasms. In this study, the EBV detection was identified with the paraffin-embedded tissues from 62 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 20 Hodgkin's lymphomas, and 48 non-neoplastic tonsils, using PCR for EBNA-1 and EBER-1 mRNA in situ hybridization for EBER-1 mRNA. The isolates were analyzed for type 1/2, variants C/D and F/f, and LMP-1 30 bp deletion. EBV was isolated in 31 of 48 (66%) non-neoplastic tonsils, 24 of 42 (57%) B cell lymphomas, in 15 of 20 (75%) T cell lymphomas, and 17 of 20 (85%) Hodgkin's lymphomas. These viruses were classified as type 1 for 81% of non-neoplastic tonsils, 95% of B cell lymphomas, 93% of T cell lymphomas, and 73% of Hodgkin's diseases. Both type 1 and 2 viruses were isolated in one non-neoplastic tonsil and 3 Hodgkin's diseases. Type C virus was predominant in non-neoplastic tonsils (77%) and B cell lymphomas (75%), while type D virus was common in T cell lymphomas (71%) and Hodgkin's diseases (73%) (P < 0.05). Majority of the viruses detected in non-neoplastic tonsils (93%) and malignant lymphomas (91%) were "F" prototype. LMP-1 30 bp deletion was found in high frequency in both non-neoplastic tonsils (92%) and malignant lymphomas (86%). In conclusion, most of EBV found in Korea was type 1, and "DF" genotype was more frequent in T cell lymphomas and Hodgkin's diseases than in non-neoplastic tonsils and B cell lymphomas. LMP-1 30 bp deletion did not seem to be associated with malignant lymphomas.