BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders are prevalent in Asia, and less frequent in Western countries.

AIM

To elucidate the possible association of EBV with CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) involving the skin and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) in South Korea.

METHODS

In situ hybridization for EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) and immunohistochemistry including viral latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin specimens of 26 cases of LyP and 16 cases of CD30+ ALCL involving the skin which were selected from six university hospital medical centers in South Korea.

RESULTS

In situ hybridization studies showed positivity of the neoplastic cells for EBER in two of 16 cases of CD30+ ALCL and in none of the cases of LyP. One EBER-positive case was cutaneous CD30+ ALCL with concurrent lymph node involvement. The other was CD30+ ALCL involving the skin and other organs, including lymph nodes, bone, lung, and spleen. Immunostaining for LMP-1 was also positive only for the two cases of EBER-positive CD30+ ALCL.

CONCLUSION

LyP and primary cutaneous CD30+ ALCL are very rarely associated with EBV in South Korea.