Epstein-Barr Virus and HLA-DPB1-*0301 in young adult Hodgkin's disease: evidence for inherited susceptibility to Epstein-Barr Virus in cases that are EBV(+ve).

Abstract

Cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) may be distinguished by whether they do [EBV-positive ((+ve)) cases] or do not [EBV-negative ((-ve)) cases] have evidence of EBV DNA in the Reed-Sternberg cells. Only one study has attempted to distinguish epidemiological risk factors for EBV(+ve) and EBV(-ve) HD, and none have compared inherited susceptibility. The present study involves a population-based case series of HD, diagnosed in patients between 16-24 years of age in the United Kingdom (n = 118), of whom 87% were classified by EBV status (EBV(+ve), 19, EBV(-ve), 84). History of infectious illness, EBV antibody titers, and HLA-DPB1 type have been compared in EBV(+ve) and EBV(-ve) cases. Reported infectious mononucleosis was more frequent in EBV(+ve) cases (odds ratio (OR), 5.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-24.4). EBV antibody titers to viral capsid antigen were significantly higher in EBV(+ve) cases (P for trend = 0.02). Higher proportions of EBV(+ve) (43%) than EBV(-ve) (31%) cases typed positive for HLA-DPB1*0301, but this was not statistically significant; the association of infectious mononucleosis with EBV(+ve) cases was stronger in this HLA subgroup (OR, 17.1; 95%CI, 1.06-1177) than in other cases (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.02-15.4). Although these results are based on small numbers of HD cases, they provide suggestive evidence that the etiology of EBV(+ve) HD may involve inherited susceptibility to EBV.

• Authors: F E Alexander, R F Jarrett, R A Cartwright, A A Armstrong, D A Gokhale, E Kane, D Gray, D J Lawrence, G M Taylor
• Journal: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev) Vol. 10 Issue 6 Pg. 705-9 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 1055-9965 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11401923 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HLA-DP Antigens
• HLA-DP beta-Chains
• HLA-DPB1 antigen

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Epidemiologic Studies
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections (complications)
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• HLA-DP Antigens (analysis)
• HLA-DP beta-Chains
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (immunology, pathogenicity)
• Hodgkin Disease (genetics, immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Male
• Risk Factors