Detection of Epstein-Barr viral genomes in lymph nodes of Hodgkin's disease patients.

Previous studies using Southern blot analysis or in situ hybridization have shown that approximately 20% of patients with Hodgkin's disease have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in involved tissues. We used the more sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to determine if a higher percentage of EBV could be detected. Of the 16 Hodgkin's disease patients studied, the PCR technique detected EBV in eight (50%). No prognostic significance was associated with the presence of EBV in the eight EBV-positive patients, and the presence of EBV was not associated with B cell monoclonality.