The association of Epstein-Barr virus infection with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a conventional term for clonal proliferation of plasma cells. It is suggested that viruses may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between multiple myeloma and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

This case-control study was performed on 60 paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies (30 multiple myeloma and 30 normal bone marrow specimens) in the molecular pathology section of our hospital. The patients and control groups were matched according to gender and age. Several sections were cut from each paraffin blocks, and then the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted by the non-heating extraction method. In the next step, PCR was carried out for detection of EBV genome and finally its products were analyzed by electrophoresis.

DNA of EBV was detected in 10 patients of the case group (5 males and 5 females) and 3 subjects (2 males and 1 female) of the control group. The Pearson chi-square test showed significant difference between case and control group (P=0.03) for detection of the EBV genome. In myeloma patients, the mean white blood cell count was 9.05 + 4.02 and 5.20 + 2.02 Χ 10(9) /L in EBV positive and negative groups, respectively and a significant difference count was seen for the WBC count.

Our results show an association between multiple myeloma and EBV infection.