Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with different types of human malignancies, including Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphomas. We retrospectively investigated the presence of EBV-DNA by real-time PCR in clinical samples of patients diagnosed as having hematologic malignancies while investigating the cause of lymphoproliferative disorders, and investigated its relationship to clinical manifestations.
Patients and methods: Fifty clinical samples sent to Gazi University's hematology clinics between November 2013 and March 2018 were included. EBV-DNA was investigated by real-time PCR method, and EBV-IgM and EBV-IgG antibodies were investigated by ELISA.
Results: Fifty serum samples were investigated, and 10% (5/50) EBV-DNA positivity was determined in patients. Of the 5 patients with EBV-DNA positivity, 2 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 1 lymphoma, 1 T-cell lymphoma, and 1 B-cell lymphoma. Concomitant EBV-DNA and viral capsid antigen (VCA)-IgM positivity was not detected. The VCA-lgM test results of the all EBV-DNA-positive patients were negative and VCA-IgG positive (except for 1 patient). Regarding virus load, of the 5 samples, 2, 1, 1, and 1 of the samples had a virus load of 102, 103, 104, and 105 copies/mL, respectively.
Conclusion: EBV infection is threatening in patients with hematologic malignancies and are diagnosed by serologic and molecular methods. As a result of the study, we suggest that the detection of EBV-DNA by real-time PCR in patients being admitted with lymphoproliferative diseases and diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas may be useful in follow-up and treatment.
Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); EBV; Lymphoma; Real-time PCR; Real-time polymerase chain reaction.
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