The prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus-positive lymphoid cells in nasal mucosa: an extremely rare event

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)-positive lymphoid cells is unknown. Because EBV is implicated in the etiology of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (nasal ENKL), the presence of EBV-positive lymphoid cells (EPLs) in nasal mucosa specimens is expected. This study evaluated the presence of EBV-positive lymphoid cells in the nasal mucosa of 420 patients who had undergone surgical resection of lesions of the nasal cavity due to nasal septal deviation, chronic paranasal rhinosinusitis, chronic hypertrophic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis, papillonnas, and cysts. Methodology: Three representative 1.0-mm-diameter core biopsies were taken from one paraffin-embedded donor tissue block per case and subsequently arranged in new recipient paraffin blocks with a trephine. EBV in situ hybridization study was performed to detect EPLs. Results: None of the cases demonstrated EPLs. Conclusion:The presence of EPLs in the nasal mucosa is an extremely rare event in immunocompetent individuals. Therefore, the detection of EPLs in nasal biopsy specimens should prompt the pathologist to perform further testing to exclude the possibility of nasal ENKL.