[EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma in children under 10 years]

The number of EBV-positive child patients with HL varies in different countries and regions. In developing countries the number of child patients with this disease is higher than in the patient population of economically advanced countries. The authors examined 24 patients under 10 years with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty patients were males, four females. In ten cases according to histological examination type II of HL was involved--nodular sclerosis (7 boys, 3 girls). In 14 instances the authors detected the mixed cellularity type (13 boys and 1 girl). EBV positivity was assessed immunohistologically by means of the antibody against LMP-1 and EBER-1 by the method of in situ hybridization. In 20 EBV positive HL 18 boys and 2 girls were affected. EBV positivity was proved in 83%. The marked intersexual difference in different EBV positive HL has not been explained unequivocally so far. The authors proved, that 14 EBV positive HL were type III--mixed cellularity. In 6 cases the type of nodular sclerosis was involved. The authors assume that marked positivity of child patients is associated with the initial massive EBV infection. EBV positive tumour cells are to a considerable extent removed by the immune apparatus and thus in the second and third decade EBV negative patients predominate.