Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2026
An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Published on: March 30, 2018
Evaluation of the Association Between Epstein-Barr Virus and Mycosis Fungoides
Yalda Nahidi1, Naser Tayyebi Meibodi2, Kiarash Ghazvini3
1Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Leishmanaisis Research Center, Mashhad, Iran.
Introduction:
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Despite extensive studies, etiopathogenesis of MF is unknown. Environmental, infectious and genetic factors have been proposed as potential risk factors of MF. Herpes virus family members, especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), have been among the viral factors of interest in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of EBV infection with MF.
Materials And Methods:
This case-control study was performed on skin biopsy samples of 57 MF patients referred to Pathology Department of Mashhad Emam Reza Hospital from 2000 to 2011 and also on 57 melanocytic nevus samples matched with patients for age and sex. The presence of EBV in samples was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results:
In this study, out of 57 MF samples, there were 34 male and 23 female patients, with male:female ratio of 1.04. Mean patient age was 51.4 years. There were 22 and 4 positive cases of EBV in the case and control groups, respectively. Chi-square statistical test showed that EBV was significantly higher in case group than control (P = 0.000). There was no correlation between the presence of EBV in samples with lesion type, age and gender of the patients.
Conclusion:
According to our study results, EBV is a likely etiologic agent or potential promoter in the pathogenesis of MF.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is significantly more prevalent in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF), suggesting EBV may play a role in the development of this common skin lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
- The etiopathogenesis of MF remains largely unknown, with proposed risk factors including environmental, infectious, and genetic elements.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family, has garnered interest as a potential infectious factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides (MF).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 57 MF patient skin biopsy samples and 57 matched melanocytic nevus control samples.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) presence was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5.
Main Results:
- EBV was detected in 22 out of 57 MF cases (38.6%) and 4 out of 57 controls (7.0%).
- A statistically significant higher prevalence of EBV was observed in the MF patient group compared to the control group (P = 0.000).
- No correlation was found between EBV presence and MF lesion type, patient age, or gender.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a potential etiologic agent or promoter in the pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides (MF).
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of EBV in MF development.
