Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferations and lymphomas

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a lymphotropic herpesvirus infecting > 95 % of the worldwide population. In case of an immunodeficiency of various causes, the virus may lead to the development of a wide spectrum of lymphoproliferations and lymphomas. This encompasses mononucleosis-like lymphoproliferations, hyperplasias of various B-cell subsets as well as aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. These lesions occur frequently extranodal and present with a polymorphous histology with angioinvasion and necrosis. Clinical data combined with the immunohistological detection of CD30 expression in the activated infected cells and the demonstration of EBV-encoded proteins and RNA transcripts are helpful for achieving precise classification of these lesions.