Azuma H, Sakata Y, Sasaki K, Oka T, Hironaka T, Hirai K, Imai S, Osato T, Okuno A. Hodgkin disease occurring in a patient with extremely high serum antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus--associated antigens without chronic illness.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 1996;
18:387-91. [PMID:
8888748 DOI:
10.1097/00043426-199611000-00011]
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Abstract
PURPOSE
We described for the first time a patient with long-lasting, extremely high serum antibody titer against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen and early antigen without clinical symptoms suggestive of active EBV infection; the patient finally developed Hodgkin disease (HD) after 7 years of follow-up.
PATIENT AND METHODS
High serum EBV antibody titers were noted at 2 years of age. Immunological evaluation was performed at the age of 7 years. EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity was normal. None of the other results showed any significant abnormalities except for the abnormal antibody titers against EBV-associated antigens.
RESULTS
The patient developed HD at the age of 9 years. In addition, EBV genomes were found in the nuclei of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in the lymph node.
CONCLUSIONS
This case suggests that (a) a patient with extremely high serum antibody titers against EBV-associated antigens may develop HD after a prolonged period, even though no clinical symptom suggestive of active EBV infection is observed; (b) EBV may play an important role in the occurrence of HD.
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