Association Between Epstein-Barr Virus and Burkitt’s lymphoma in Western Iraq. (A molecular case-control study

Abstract

Background: Association of EBV with BL is differ according to the geographical distribution and type of BL with a consistent C-MYC chromosomal translocation.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find out the association between Epstein Barr virus & the characteristic C-MYC as well as the age and gender distribution of Burkitt's lymphoma in Western Iraq.Patients and Methods: In this case-control study we have analyzed paraffin sections from 60 patients with Burkitt’s lymphoma (19 endemic BL, 41sporadic BL). Diagnosis of these cases was depend on clinical and histological as well as immunohistochemical bases. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA and C-MYC chromosomal translocation by PCRwere performed, using sets of primers flanking the EBNA-1 and the c-MYC chromosomal translocation. Results: Endemic BL affected mostly children aged 3–10 years (mean age: 5.6 years), whereas sporadic BL affected mostly adults aged 22–37 years(mean age:29 years). The sex ratio of the BL was 2:1 (41M: 19F).Study showed that 18/19 of endemic BL and 8/41 of sporadic BL were positive for EBV(positive EBNA1 by PCR).C-MYC chromosomal translocation was detected in 18/19 endemic BL and in 40/41sporadic BL. Conclusions: There was significant association between EBV and endemic BL but no such a relation with sporadic BL. Also there was a strong association between C-MYC translocation in both endemic and sporadic BL. However there was no significant correlation between C-MYC translocation of endemic & sporadic BL and the gender.