Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Association and Latency Profile in Paediatric Burkitt Lymphoma: Experience of a Single Institution in Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterise EBV expression and latency pattern in paediatric Burkitt lymphoma in a single institution in Argentina. EBV-encoded RNA or protein was analyzed in 27 patients. EBERs was expressed in 37% of patients (29% of immunocompetent and 100% of immunosuppressed patients). EBV-positive cases were observed exclusively in patients younger than 5 years old. EBV association with immunocompetent patients exhibits the sporadic pattern in region under study, while its presence in patients infected with HIV was higher than described previously. EBV latency I profile was present in most of the patients, except for 2 immunosuppressed patients who displayed LMP1 expression.