The relation between epstein-barr virus antibodies and clinical symptomatology and immunodeficiency in patients with Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

Anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) titers were measured in the sera of 37 patients with Hodgkin's disease and in 40 normal controls. The patients were grouped according to histologic type, clinical symptomatology (relapse or remission), and their immune state (immunodeficient or non-immunodeficient). Anti-Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNA) and antiviral capside antigens (VCA) titers were higher in patients with Hodgkin's disease than in the controls. Anti-EBNA titers were significantly higher in patients with lymphocyte predominance, and anti-VCA titers were significantly higher in patients with mixed cellularity. Patients in clinical relapse had higher anti-EBV antibody titers than patients in remission or those in the control group. Immunodeficent pateints had significantly higher anti-VCA titers than either the non-immuno-deficient or the control cases. We believe high anti-EBV titers are related to immunodeficiencies. The relationship between Hodgkin's disease and EBV is discussed.