Antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus and cellular immunity in Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphatic leukemia

Abstract

Abstract Antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA) and cellular immunity as measured by skin reactivity to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and Brucella antigen (BA) were measured in 15 cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 14 cases of chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) before treatment and one year later. Both groups of diseases were associated with elevated VCA and EA antibody levels when compared with 18 controls, and in both groups the mean titers were unchanged after therapy. A negative skin test to KLH was associated with a short survival in the HD group and was found more frequently in CLL patients with active disease. In the young HD patients, a higher EBV titer was found in pretreatment sera of non‐survivors compared with those who are still alive. There was no correlation, however, between tests for cell‐mediated immunity and humoral antibodies against EBV. The finding of similar titers in patients with depressed and normal skin reactivity indicates that the elevated titers are probably not the result of a non‐specifically depressed immune defense.