Hepatitis C virus infection in Lebanese patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Several studies from many countries have reported a high prevalence (> 9%) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) suggesting a possible etiological role of HCV in the development of B-NHL. Data from the United Kingdom and Turkey, however, did not confirm these observations. To determine the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with B-cell lymphoma in Lebanon, a controlled study was conducted in which 318 Lebanese patients were investigated. These included 35 patients with B-NHL, 63 patients with various malignant conditions (control group 1) and 220 patients with non-malignant conditions (control group 2). Samples were tested in duplicates for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). None of the 318 patients investigated were anti-HCV positive. Based on our findings, it can be concluded, that, there is no sufficient evidence to indicate that HCV plays role in the development of B-NHL in Lebanese patients. Predisposing factors in lymphoproliferative disorders are numerous including both genetic and environmental factors that could vary from one geographic region to another.