The incidence of the expression of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphomatoid papulosis and cutaneous CD30⁺ anaplastic large cell lymphoma in Korea

Background: The frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in T-cell tumors has been shown to be higher in the Asian compared to the Western population. However, data on the expression of EBV in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and cutaneous CD30⁺ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in Korea is limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of EBV in LyP and cutaneous CD30+ ALCL in Korea. Method: 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 skin which were collected from 6 university hospital medical centers in Korea. Results: In situ hybridization studies revealed positivity of the neoplastic cells for EBER in 2 of 16 specimens of CD30⁺ ALCL and in none of the LyP specimens. One EBER-positive case was cutaneous CD30⁺ ALCL with concurrent involvement of lymph nodes. The other case was CD30 ⁺ ALCL involving skin and other organs such as lymph nodes, bone, lung, and the spleen. Immunostaining for LMP-1 was also positive only for the 2 cases of EBER-positive CD30⁺ ALCL. Conclusion: In Korea, LyP and primary cutaneous CD30⁺ ALCL are unlikely to be associated with EBV, however, systemic CD30⁺ ALCL may be associated with EBV.