Transformación nodular angiomatoide esclerosante del bazo: reporte de caso / Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen: a case report

La transformación nodular angiomatoide esclerosante es una patología vascular benigna del bazo, desarrollada a partir de la pulpa roja, de etiología desconocida. Se postula que puede estar relacionada con la enfermedad por inmunoglobulina 4 y la infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr. La mayoría de los casos son asintomáticos, constituyendo hallazgos incidentales en estudios por imágenes. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 41 años con antecedentes de tiroidectomía por carcinoma papilar que consulta por fiebre. Recibió tratamiento sintomático y se realizó tomografía computarizada de abdomen por síntomas abdominales inespecíficos. La tomografía evidenció una imagen de aspecto sólido, con tenue realce periférico con el contraste que mide 62 por 52 por 51 milímetros en el polo inferior del bazo. Se realizó esplenectomía que midió 14 por 11 por 4 centímetros y pesó 284 gramos. Se identificó una formación nodular sólida, bien delimitada, con área central de aspecto fibroso, con tractos blanquecinos que delimitan áreas violáceas. La microscopía presentó nódulos coalescentes redondeados de aspecto angiomatoide, con proliferación vascular revestida por células endoteliales sin atipia, entremezclados con células ahusadas, infiltrado de linfocitos y macrófagos. El estroma entre los nódulos mostró proliferación miofibroblástica con linfocitos, plasmocitos y siderófagos. Inmunohistoquímica tuvo marcación positiva en los vasos para CD34 y CD31, sectores positivos para CD8 y negativos para CD34. Una célula positiva para inmunoglobulina 4 (IgG4) por campo de gran aumento. El estudio para Epstein-Barr por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa fue negativo. Para el diagnóstico los estudios de imagen son inespecíficos, por lo que la confirmación diagnóstica la da el estudio histopatológico. La esplenectomía es curativa sin casos reportados hasta la actualidad de transformación maligna o recidiva. No se conocen factores de riesgo y no se han comprobado factores desencadenantes, excepto la asociación de casos con IgG4 y virus de Ebstein-Barr. Por ser una entidad patológica recientemente descrita es necesario recopilar series grandes y revisar nuestros archivos, reevaluando algunos de sus diagnósticos diferenciales para lograr una mejor comprensión de la misma.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation is a benign vascular pathology of the spleen, developed from the red pulp, of unknown etiology; it is postulated that it may be related to IgG4 disease and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Most cases are asymptomatic, constituting incidental findings in imaging studies. We present a 41-year-old male patient with a history of thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma who consulted for fever, received symptomatic treatment and performed a computed tomography of the abdomen for nonspecific abdominal symptoms, the same evidence in the lower pole of the spleen a solid-looking image with faint Peripheral enhancement with contrast, measures 62x 52x51 mm. A splenectomy measuring 14x 11x4 cm and weighing 284 grams was performed, identifying a solid, well-defined nodular formation, with a central fibrous-looking area, with whitish tracts that delimited purplish areas. Microscopy: rounded angiomatoid-like coalescing nodules, with vascular proliferation lined by endothelial cells without atypia, interspersed with spindle cells, infiltrated by lymphocytes and macrophages. The stroma between the nodules shows myofibroblastic proliferation with lymphocytes, plasma cells, and siderophages. Immunohistochemistry: positive labeling in vessels for CD34 and CD31, positive sectors for CD8 and negative for CD34. One IgG4 positive cell per high power field. The study for Epstein-Barr by Polymesara Chain Reaction was negative. For the diagnosis, the imaging studies are nonspecific, so the diagnostic confirmation is given by the histopathological study. Splenectomy is curative with no reported cases of malignant transformation or recurrence to date. There are no known risk factors and no triggering factors have been proven, except the association of cases with IgG4 and Ebstein-Barr virus. As it is a recently described pathological entity, it is necessary to collect large series and review our files, reevaluating some of its differential diagnoses to achieve a better understanding of it

Linfoma Extranodal de Células T/NK en Cavidad Oral. Reporte de un Caso en Chile / Extranodal Lymphoma of T / NK Cells in Oral Cavity. Case Report in Chile

RESUMEN: El linfoma extranodal de células T/NK es una neoplasia maligna agresiva que se caracteriza por una destrucción de estructuras de la línea media de la cara como paladar y fosa nasal. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino, 48 años de edad, consumidor de cocaína, que consulta en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Chile en Septiembre del 2015 por síntomas de disfagia, rinorrea y que presenta al examen clínico un tumor ulcerado que compromete paladar duro y blando, de un mes de evolución. Se confirma diagnóstico de linfoma de células T/NK con una batería de pruebas inmunohistoquímicas. Esta patología, aunque infrecuente, siempre debe ser considerada dentro los diagnósticos diferenciales en tumores ulcerados en esta localización.

ABSTRACT: Extranodal T / NK cell lymphoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm characterized by destruction of midline structures of the face such as the palate and nasal fossa. We present the case of a male patient, 48 years old, cocaine user, who consults at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Universidad de Chile in September of 2015 due to symptoms of dysphagia, rhinorrhea and presenting to the clinical examination an ulcerated tumor which compromises hard and soft palate, a month of evolution. Diagnosis of T / NK cell lymphoma is confirmed with a battery of immunohistochemical tests. This pathology, although infrequent, should always be considered within the differential diagnoses in ulcerated tumors of this location.

Epstein-Barr virus and skin

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus is a DNA virus infecting human beings and could affect 90% of human population. It is crucial to take in account that in Latin America, unlike what happens in developed countries, the exposure to the virus is very early and therefore people have a much longer interaction with the virus. The virus is related to many diseases, mainly the oncological ones, and when the onset is in cutaneous tissue, it can present many clinical variants, as well acute as chronic ones. Among the acute ones are infectious mononucleosis rash and Lipschutz ulcers; the chronic presentations are hypersensivity to mosquito bites, hydroa vacciniforme, hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoma, its atypical variants and finally nasal and extra-nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Although they are not frequent conditions, it is crucial for the dermatologist to know them in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.

Atypical Gianotti-Crosti syndrome

Abstract: We report the case of a male 22-month-old child, with atypical presentation of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome after infection with Epstein-Barr virus.

Epstein-Barr Virus and Gastric Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis With Meta-regression of Case-control Studies / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Research on how the risk of gastric cancer increases with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is lacking. In a systematic review that investigated studies published until September 2014, the authors did not calculate the summary odds ratio (SOR) due to heterogeneity across studies. Therefore, we include here additional studies published until October 2015 and conduct a meta-analysis with meta-regression that controls for the heterogeneity among studies. METHODS: Using the studies selected in the previously published systematic review, we formulated lists of references, cited articles, and related articles provided by PubMed. From the lists, only case-control studies that detected EBV in tissue samples were selected. In order to control for the heterogeneity among studies, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed. RESULTS: In the 33 case-control results with adjacent non-cancer tissue, the total number of test samples in the case and control groups was 5280 and 4962, respectively. In the 14 case-control results with normal tissue, the total number of test samples in case and control groups was 1393 and 945, respectively. Upon meta-regression, the type of control tissue was found to be a statistically significant variable with regard to heterogeneity. When the control tissue was normal tissue of healthy individuals, the SOR was 3.41 (95% CI, 1.78 to 6.51; I-squared, 65.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the argument that EBV infection increases the risk of gastric cancer. In the future, age-matched and sex-matched case-control studies should be conducted.

Comparative analysis of presence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epsteinbarr virus -1 (EBV-1) in cases of chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis with controls.

Aim : The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epsteinbarr virus -1 (EBV-1)viruses in sub gingival plaque of chronic periodontitis (groupA), aggressive periodontitis patients (group B), periodontally healthy controls (group C) and to compare the clinical parameters between virus negative and positive sites in each of these groups. Materials and Methods : Sixty subjects were included in the study and equally divided into the 3 groups (group A - 20, group B - 20, group C - 20). Sub gingival plaque samples were obtained from the 3 deepest periodontal pocket sites in case of subjects suffering from periodontitis, and from one random bleeding site per quadrant in healthy groups. Clinical parameters like plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD) and clinical loss of attachment (CAL) were recorded. Viral Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted using Proteinase-K DNA Extraction method, and the presence of CMV and EBV-1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction and 2% agarose gel. Results: Results of our study showed a 45% prevalence of CMV and EBV-1 in Aggressive periodontitis cases. Prevalence of CMV in chronic periodontitis and healthy subjects was 20% and 10%, respectively; while for EBV-1 it was 25% and 0%, respectively. In terms of comparison of the clinical parameters with virus presence, both CMV and EBV-1 positive sites showed a significantly higher mean pocket depth compared to virus negative sites. Conclusion: Our studyshowed that the prevalence of EBV1 was higher in chronic and aggressive periodontitis subjects compared to controls and the prevalence of CMV was higher in aggressive periodontitis patients. The virus positive sites showed higher pocket depth compared to virus negative sites.

Virus de Epstein-Barr y piel / Epstein-Barr virus and skin

La infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr puede afectar de manera muy variada al ser humano en sus diferentes etapas de la vida. Algunas veces las manifestaciones son asintomáticas o con síntomas poco específicos y otras puede presentarse como una enfermedad de severidad y duración variable, que puede desarrollar un proceso maligno. Hasta el momento se ha estudiado muy poco sobre la relación del virus de Epstein-Barr y piel, por lo que se trata de hacer una revisión de esta enfermedad y sus diferentes expresiones en la piel.

Epstein-Barr virus infection can occur in different manners, affecting humans throughthe different stages of life. Sometimes, manifestations are asymptomatic or non specific;conversely it can occur as a disease of variable severity and duration, and occasionallyeventuate into malignancy. So far little has been studied on the relationship betweenEpstein-Barr virus and skin; therefore we present this review of the disease and its various expressions upon the skin.

Detección del virus Epstein-Barr en lesiones de liquen plano bucal / Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in oral lichen planus

El objetivo del estudio fue detectar la presencia de Virus Epstein-Barr (VEB) en pacientes con lesiones de Liquen Plano Bucal (LPB) usando la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR), y relacionarlo con el consumo de cigarrillo en un grupo de pacientes Venezolanos.En el estudio se incluyeron 20 pacientes con LPB y un grupo control de 10 individuos con mucosa bucal sana sin antecedentes de LPB. Las muestras fueron divididas en tres fragmentos; uno se incluyó en parafina para el diagnóstico histopatológico, otra porción de tejido no-ulcerado para inmunofluorescencia directa, usando anticuerpos policlonales anti-fibrinógeno y otra fue congelada a -70°C para el análisis molecular. En los pacientes con LPB se presentó un predominio del género femenino (95%). En el análisis histopatológico se observó que el 90% de los tejidos de LPB presentaban acantosis, y 80% degeneración hidrópica del epitelio, 50% Cuerpos de Civatte y papilomatosis respectivamente, 35% hiperparaqueratosis y 30% hiperortoqueratosis. Todas las muestras mostraron infiltrado inflamatorio linfocítico a lo largo de la unión corión-epitelio. La localización de las lesiones fue más frecuente en cara interna de carrillo (85%). El análisis molecular demostró la presencia del genoma de VEB en 50% (10/20) de los pacientes con LPB. En el grupo control, solo un caso fue positivo (10%), siendo la diferencia entre los dos grupos estadísticamente significativa (P<.0005). De los 10 pacientes con LPB positivos para la infección por VEB, el 40% (4/10) eran fumadores y el único paciente positivo para VEB en el grupo control resultó no fumador. Se observó una mayor frecuencia de infección por VEB en los pacientes con LPB en relación al grupo control. No se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los pacientes LPB/VEB+ y LPB/VEB-. No se encontró relación entre el hábito tabáquico y la presencia de VEB ya que el 60% de los pacientes VEB positivos no eran fumadores

The aim of this work was to detect the presence of EBV in Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) lesions using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and to correlate with cigarette smoking in a OLP Venezuelan population. A group of 20 OLP patients were included. A control group consisted of 10 individuals with healthy oral mucosa and with no history of OLP. Three fragments of the sample were obtained; one for histological diagnosis, another placed in saline solution (fresh not-ulcerated tissue) for direct immunofluorescence with polyclonal antibodies anti- fibrinogen, and the other frozen at -70°C in liquid nitrogen for molecular analysis. We found a predominance of the female gender in the OLP group (95%). The acantosis was presented in 90% (18/20) of the cases, following by epithelial hydropic degeneration (16/20), civatte´s bodies (10/20) papillomatosis (10/20) hyperparaqueratosis (7/2)0, hyperorthoqueratosis (6/20). All the samples showed inflammatory infiltrate spread into the chorion-epithelial join as the principal histological feature. The more frequent location was the mucosa of the cheek (85%).The presence of the EBV genome was observed in 10/20 (50%) of OPL patients. In the control group only one case was positive (10%). There were statistical significant differences (P<.0005). Of the 10 OLP positive EBV patients, 40% (4/10) were cigarettes smokers, and the only positive patient in the control group was not. there is no correlation between the use of cigarettes and the presence of EBV in OPL patients. We found a major frequency of the VEB infection in the OLP group than in the control group. There was no statistical differences between the groups OLP/EBV+ and OLP/EBV-. There is no relation between tobaccos consumed and the presence of the virus, cause 60% of the EBV positives patients were no smoking

Low apoptotic index & bak expression in EBV-associated childhood classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background & objectives: Association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is particularly high in low-income countries, and resistance to apoptosis might play a role in pathogenesis and survival. Data from previous studies are not consistent, and none is available in children. Thus this study was undertaken on Indian children with classical Hodgkin lymphoma to assess the significance of bcl-2, bak and p53 expression, and apoptotic index in relation with EBV status and treatment outcome with chemotherapy alone. Methods: Children (age<15 yr) with classical HL (n=143) were included in the study. Bcl-2, bak, p53, Ki67 and latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) were detected by immunohistochemistry in pre-treatment lymph node biopsies. Apoptotic index was assessed by TdT-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). Results: Bcl-2, bak, p53 were expressed above positivity threshold in 83.3, 94.0 and 7.1 per cent of the cases respectively. More than 10 per cent of apoptotic tumour cells were seen in 60.4 per cent of the cases. 131 (91.6%) cases were EBV associated. EBV-positive cases had a significantly lower mean bak expression (p=0.001) and a lower apoptotic index, without higher proliferation index. Advanced stage showed a borderline association with bcl-2 expression in >25 per cent of tumour cells and p53 negative tumours. In univariate analysis, p53 positive cases, which were significantly associated with B symptoms, had a poorer overall survival (P=0.03) while low proliferation index was associated with poorer failurefree survival. Neither EBV status nor any of the apoptotic parameters studied showed independent association with survival. Interpretation & conclusion: EBV detection in children with classical Hodgkin lymphoma was associated with significant lower bak expression and with lower spontaneous apoptosis of H-RS cells suggesting that EBV-LMP1 might downregulate bak pro-apoptotic protein. this needs to be substantiated further.

Linfoma CutáneoT/NK tipo nasal símil hidroa vacciniforme / Hydroa-like cutaneous T/NK-cell lymphoma, nasal type

El linfoma T/NK cutáneo símil hidroa vacciniforme (HV) es un linfoma poco común que afecta principalmente a niños asiáticos e indoamericanos. Se inicia con edema, vesículas, costras y cicatrices de tipo vacciniforme. De evolución prolongada, tiende a agravarse con los años, desfigurando y comprometiendo física y psíquicamente al paciente. Debido a la detección tardía del linfoma, en general el pronóstico de vida de estos pacientes es malo. Se presenta una paciente de 20 años con linfoma NK de tipo nasal, que comenzó a los 13 años con un cuadro de HV de mala evolución. Los autores proponen que en pacientes con HV atípica un tratamiento en etapas tempranas de la enfermedad podría mejorar su pronóstico.

The hydroa-like cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is not a very common lymphoma,children from Asia and indoamericans are mainly aff ected. Theybegin with edema, vesicles, crusts and vacciniform scars with a prolongedevolution increasing through to the years. This illness aff ects the patientsphysically and psychologically because of its disfi guring eff ects.Due to the late detection of the lymphoma, generally the prognosis ofthese patients is poor. A patient of 20 years old, who suff ered of NK-celllymphoma nasal type, is presented. She began with hydroa vacciniformeat the age 13 years old, she developed a T/NK lymphoma and died. Theauthors propose that on patients with atypical hydroa vacciniformes, atreatment in earlier stages could off er a better prognosis (Dermatol Argent2009;15(5):350-353).

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system: a clinical-pathological and immunohistochemical study of ten autopsy cases / Linfoma primário do sistema nervoso central: estudo clínico-patológico e imuno-histoquímico de dez casos de necropsia

CONTEXT: Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) are a rare subgroup of lymphomas generally associated with HIV and EBV. OBJECTIVE: To study ten autopsy cases of PCNSL, to describe the neuropathological findings, to characterize the phenotype of the neoplastic cells, to detect EBV in the lesion and to compare the findings with the clinical and laboratory data of the patients. METHOD: The clinical, histological and immunohistochemical data of ten cases of PCNSL, eight cases from patients with AIDS, identified among 265 autopsies of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven patients were males and the mean age was 40.9 years. The most frequent symptomatology was focal neurologic deficit (70 percent). Six patients presented with only one lesion. Histologically, densely cellular and polymorphous neoplasms with angiocentrism were observed, in 90 percent of cases. An association with other diseases was observed in four cases. Most patients had diffuse large B cell non-HodgkinÆs lymphoma. EBV was detected by immunohistochemistry in only one case. The lack of detection of the virus might have been due to the long time of fixation of the brain which might have inactivate epitopes therefore compromising the testing. CONCLUSION: In the present series, PCNSL presented with focal symptoms, with unifocal or multifocal lesions, with a predominant B-cell CD20 positive phenotype, rarely associated with EBV.

CONTEXTO: Linfoma primário do sistema nervoso central (LP-SNC) é raro subgrupo de linfomas relacionado à AIDS, geralmente associado EBV. OBJETIVO: Identificar os achados clínico-patológicos dos pacientes com LP-SNC. MÉTODO: Foram analisados dados clínicos, histológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de dez necrópsias de LP-SNC, oito deles de pacientes com AIDS, identificados entre 265 autopsias destes. RESULTADOS: Sete pacientes foram masculinos e a idade média foi 40,9 anos. A sintomatologia neurológica mais freqüente era focal (70 por cento). Seis exibiram lesão única. Histologicamente, eram neoplasias densamente celulares e polimorfas, com angiocentrismo em 90 por cento dos casos. Em quatro casos, houve associação com outras afecções. A maioria dos casos foi de linfoma não-Hodgkin difuso de grandes células B. A pesquisa para EBV foi positiva em um caso. CONCLUSÃO: Predominaram os LP-SNC associados à AIDS, com sintomatologia focal, lesão em massa ou multifocal, com predominância de células B CD-20.

Epstein-Barr virus associated lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland; a clinicopathological report of three cases.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a relatively uncommon malignant tumor of the salivary gland demonstrating malignant epithelial cells with dense lymphoid stroma. The authors report three cases of lymphoepithelial carcinoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus of the right parotid gland with clinically presenting as painless, gradual enlargement of the preauricular mass. The histopathologic examination of the parotid gland is characterized by malignant epithelial cells with dense lymphoid stroma. Immunohistochemical stains show positive reactivity to cytokeratin and p53 in malignant epithelial cells. In situ hybridization of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded Ribonucleic acid shows positivity in malignant epithelial cells. Clinical and pathologic features with relevant literatures are discussed. These are the first reported cases of primary parotid lymphoepithelial carcinoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Características clínico-moleculares del cáncer gástrico cardial asociado al virus Epstein Barr / Clinical and molecular features of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus

Background: Mortality caused by cardial gastric cancer in Chile, is increasing. Previously we demonstrated an association between Epstein Barr virus and this specific location of gastric cancer. Aim: To perform a clinical and molecular characterization of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus. Material and methods: Epstein Barr virus was identified in 93 cardial gastric tumors, by in situ hybridization. Clinical and pathological features, survival and expression of p53 and c-erbB2 were compared between tumors with or without the presence of the virus. Results: Twenty two (23.6%) tumors expressed Epstein Barr virus. No difference in sex or age of patients with tumors positive or negative for the virus was observed. Epstein Barr positive tumors had a tendency to have a higher frequency of Bormann III endoscopic appearance and a lower frequency of p53 accumulation (p=0.06). Five years survival was 67% and 42% of tumors positive and negative for the presence of the virus, respectively (p=0.57). Conclusions: Our results, although not significant, show a tendency towards unique characteristics of cardial gastric tumors associated to Epstein Barr virus.

Epstein-Barr virus infection and gastric carcinoma in São Paulo State, Brazil

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus, and most people have serological evidence of previous viral infection at adult age. EBV is associated with infectious mononucleosis and human cancers, including some lymphomas and gastric carcinomas. Although EBV was first reported in lymphoepithelioma-like gastric carcinoma, the virus was also found in conventional adenocarcinomas. In the present study, 53 gastric carcinomas diagnosed in São Paulo State, Brazil, were evaluated for EBV infection by non-isotopic in situ hybridization with a biotinylated probe (Biotin-AGACACCGTCCTCACCACCC GGGACTTGTA) directed to the viral transcript EBER-I, which is actively expressed in EBV latently infected cells. EBV infection was found in 6 of 53 (11.32 percent) gastric carcinomas, mostly from male patients (66.7 percent), with a mean age of 59 years old. Most EBV-positive tumors were in gastric antrum. Two EBV-positive tumors (33.3 percent) were conventional adenocarcinomas, whereas four (66.7 percent) were classified as lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas. EBV infection in gastric carcinomas was reported elsewhere in frequencies that range from 5.6 percent (Korea) up to 18 percent (Germany). In Brazil, a previous work found EBV infection in 4 of 80 (5 percent) gastric carcinomas, whereas another study found 4.7 and 11.2 percent of EBV-positive gastric carcinomas of Brazilians of Japanese origin or not, respectively. In the present study, the frequency of EBV-positive gastric carcinomas is similar to that reported in other series, and the clinicopathologic characteristics of these EBV-positive tumors are in agreement with the data in the literature.

EBV infection of esophageal cancer tissue as determined by pcr

The Epstein-Barr Virus [EBV] belongs to the genus lymphocrypto-virus and subfamily gamma-herpesvirinae. This virus infects the lymphocytes of primates and causes a latent infection in the B lymphocytes of these animals in vitro and in vivo. It also infects epithelial cells which are permissive for virus replication. A correlation between infection with EBV and Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma has long been known to exist, although the role of the virus in these cancers is not well understood. A less clear correlation between infection and other cancers, including cancer of the esophagus, has also been reported. Given the high incidence of cancer of the esophagus in Iran, we set out to study the level of infection with this virus in Iranians afflicted with the cancer. For detection of the virus, we performed half-nested PCR reactions using primers complementary to a well preserved region of the EBV virus genome. DNA extracted from LCLPI 4 cells, which is a B lymphocyte cell line infected with EBV, acted as positive control. The length of the product of first PCR reaction was 168 bp and of the second reaction 121 bp, which are the expected lengths. Our samples were DNA extracted from mounted tissue sections of the esophagus or unmounted sections cut from paraffin blocks. Both types of samples were obtained from the archives of the pathology department of a national hospital. Thirty-four squamous cell carcinoma, 8 adenocarcinoma and 29 esophagitis samples were tested. DNA from 28,7 and 26, respectively, of these sample groups, corresponding with 86% of all the samples, served effectively as template in the PCR reactions. Twelve [42.8%], 3[42.8%] and 11[42.3%] of the effective squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and esophagitis samples, respectively, were EBV positive as established by the PCR technique. Only one of eleven normal esophageal sections was positive [9.1%]. Tentatively, there appears to be a correlation between EBV infection of esophageal tissue and abnormalities of the esophagus