Localization of Epstein–Barr Virus DNA in the Epithelial Cells of Oral Hairy Leukoplakia by in Situ Hybridization on Tissue Sections

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 320; no. 23; pp. 1559 - 1560
• Main Authors: De Souza, Y G, Greenspan, D, Felton, J R, Hartzog, G A, Hammer, M, Greenspan, J S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Massachusetts Medical Society 08.06.1989
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; AIDS/HIV; DNA, Viral - analysis; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 4, Human - isolation & purification; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral - analysis; Leukoplakia, Oral - microbiology; Mouth Mucosa - microbiology; Nucleic Acid Hybridization
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJM198906083202315

To the Editor: Oral hairy leukoplakia is a recently described lesion of the oral mucosa, the presence of which is associated with infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 2 3 4 and presages the development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 5 The lesion is heavily infected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), as demonstrated by Southern blotting, 6 , 7 in situ hybridization, 8 9 10 and electron microscopy. 6 , 7 , 9 10 11 12 13 We have investigated the distribution of EBV DNA in lesions that were clinically and histologically identified as hairy leukoplakia, and have sought to determine the value of in situ hybridization in the diagnosis of this disorder. We examined biopsy specimens in 26 . . .