ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) of Uygur patients and related clinicopathological characteristics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was detected in 40 cases of HL and 20 cases of lymphoid reactive hyperplasia by in-situ hybridization. Expression of LMP2A in HL was investigated by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EBV was detected in 26/40 (65.0%) of HL and 5/20 of lymphoid reactive hyperplasia (P < 0.05). The expression level of EBER showed significant difference among various histological subtypes of HL (P < 0.05) and between patients with and without B symptom (P = 0.02). However, no difference was found in relation to gender, clinical stage and tumor burden. The expression of LMP2A in the mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis classical HL associated with EBV infection was 57.7% (15/26). Expression of LMP2A was not detected in lymphoid reactive hyperplasia cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Uyghur patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma have a high infection rate of EBV and distinct clinicopathologic characteristics.</p>