Research article
EBV, HHV8 and HIV in B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma in Kampala, Uganda
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* Corresponding author: Lynnette K Tumwine tumwinelynnette@yahoo.com
1 Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
2 Unit of Hematopathology, Institute of Hematology and Clinical Oncology "L. & A. Serà gnoli", Bologna University School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy
3 Uganda Cancer Institute, Mulago Hospital, P.0.Box 3935, Kampala, Uganda
4 Kuluva Hospital, P.O Box 28, Arua, Uganda
Infectious Agents and Cancer 2010, 5:12 doi:10.1186/1750-9378-5-12
Published: 30 June 2010Abstract
Background
B cell non Hodgkin lymphomas account for the majority of lymphomas in Uganda. The commonest is endemic Burkitt lymphoma, followed by diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). There has been an increase in incidence of malignant lymphoma since the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, the possible linkages of HHV8 and EBV to the condition of impaired immunity present in AIDS are still not yet very clearly understood.
Objectives
1. To describe the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus, Human Herpes virus 8 and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 in B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma biopsy specimens in Kampala, Uganda.
2. To describe the histopathology of non Hodgkin lymphoma by HIV serology test result in Kampala, Uganda
Method
Tumour biopsies specimens from 119 patients with B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma were classified according to the WHO classification. Immunohistochemistry was used for detection of HHV8 and in situ hybridization with Epstein Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) for EBV. Real time and nested PCR were used for the detection of HIV.
The patients from whom the 1991-2000 NHL biopsies had been taken did not have HIV serology results therefore 145 patients biopsies where serology results were available were used to describe the association of HIV with non Hodgkin lymphoma type during 2008-2009.
Results
In this study, the majority (92%) of the Burkitt lymphomas and only 34.8% of the diffuse large B cell lymphomas were EBV positive. None of the precursor B lymphoblastic lymphomas or the mantle cell lymphomas showed EBV integration in the lymphoma cells.
None of the Burkitt lymphoma biopsies had HIV by PCR. Of the 121 non Hodgkin B cell lymphoma patients with HIV test results, 19% had HIV. However, only 1(0.04%) case of Burkitt lymphoma had HIV. All the tumours were HHV8 negative.
Conclusions
The majority of the Burkitt lymphomas and two fifths of the diffuse large B cell lymphomas had EBV. All the tumours were HHV8 negative. Generally, the relationship of NHL and HIV was weaker than what has been reported from the developed countries. We discuss the role of these viruses in lymphomagenesis in light of current knowledge.