Increased anti-Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in epidermotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a study of 64 patients

Summary Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) is often associated with non–Hodgkin's T–cell lymphomas and has recently been found in the lesions of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. We sought to determine whether the anti–EBV antibody profile was disturbed in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome and whether there are particular profiles characteristic of disease stage. Anti–EBV antibodies (anti–VCA,–EA and –EBNA) were studied in the sera of 64 patients. An immunoenzymatic technique was used, and the results were compared with the same number of age– and sex–matched healthy controls. Patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome developed higher anti–VCA antibody titres (median 1200) than controls (median 320). Thirty–seven patients had anti–VCA ≥ 1200 vs. 19 controls (P