Clinicopathological features of gastric alpha-fetoprotein-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and treatment of gastric alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion. Methods: Four cases of gastric AFP-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion diagnosed in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2021 to December 2022 were collected, and their histomorphological characteristics, immunohistochemical (IHC), in situ hybridization of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER), next-generation sequencing results, clinicopathological features and treatment were summarized, and literature review was conducted. Results: Among the 4 patients, there were three males and one female. They presented with abdominal pain, belching and melena. Serum AFP was significantly elevated in three patients, and endoscopy showed ulcerative lesions. Microscopically, the tumor cells showed mainly diffuse flaky or nest-like growth and typical characteristics of hepatoid adenocarcinoma. In two cases there were adenoid growth, and the tumor cells in these areas possessed clear cytoplasm, suggesting enteroblastic differentiation. The tumor cell nuclei were pleomorphic with large nucleoli and brisk mitoses. The IHC results showed that the tumor cells expressed AFP, GPC3 and SALL4, and there was retained expression of broad-spectrum keratin (CKpan) and E-cadherin. IHC detection of SWI/SNF complex subunits, namely INI1 (SMARCB1), BRG1 (SMARCA4), BRM (SMARCA2), ARID1A protein was performed. In all four cases the hepatoid adenocarcinoma region and enteroblastic differentiation region showed SMARCA2 deletion, and one case with enteroblastic differentiation also showed ARID1A deletion. SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 deletions were not seen. All the four cases were diffusely positive for p53 protein, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was 80%-90%. There were no mismatch repair deletion detected; one cases showed HER2 was strongly positive (3+), and EBER was negative. None of the four cases had mutations in the SWI/SNF complex-related subunits detected by next-generation sequencing. Among the four patients, two underwent palliative surgery due to distant metastasis at the time of surgery, two underwent radical resection. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was given to three patients. Conclusions: AFP-producing adenocarcinoma is a rare subtype of gastric cancer, which can be combined with SWI/SNF complex deletion, and the pathomorphological manifestations are different from the classical SWI/SNF complex deletion of undifferentiated carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype.

Single-center "Argentine" analysis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders: incidence, histopathological characteristics and EBV status

ABSTRACT Introduction: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid proliferations occurring after solid organ or bone marrow transplantation. The primary aims of our study were to characterize cumulative incidence of PTLDs, clinical and pathological features according to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status and survival. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study on adult and pediatric patients, from January 2001 to December 2017. The cumulative incidence of PTLD was calculated by analyzing all the patients transplanted at our hospital, based on the database of the Organ Donation and Ablation Authority of Argentina (INCUCAI). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival. Results: Fifty-eight cases of biopsy-confirmed PTLD were identified and 12 cases of clinical data were incomplete and these patients were excluded. The median age at the time of the PTLD diagnosis was 17.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 9 - 57). The median interval between transplant and PTLD diagnosis was 39 months (IQR 9 - 113). The most commonly transplanted organ was the liver (24 cases, 52.2%), followed by kidney (20 cases, 43.5%). The Epstein-Barr encoding region in situ hybridization (EBER ISH) was positive in 29 (69.8%) of the 43 evaluable biopsies. The PTLD cumulative incidence was 1.84% (95%CI 1.77 - 1.91) for solid organ and 0.84% (95%CI 0.48 - 1.2) for bone marrow transplant patients. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 0.77 (95%CI 0.61 - 0.87). Subgroups by the EBV EBER status, transplant type, PTLD subtype and age group (adult vs. pediatric) showed no statistically significant association with the overall survival. Conclusion: The PTLD incidence was similar to that of previous series and the EBER did not appear as a relevant factor in our patient survival.

Seroepidemiología del virus de Epstein-Barr en estudiantes universitarios del Alto Paraná, Paraguay / Seroepidemiology of Epstein-Barr virus among university students from Alto Paraná, Paraguay

Introducción. La infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) es la causa más frecuente de mononucleosis infecciosa, y también está asociada a varios tipos de cáncer. La prevalencia de la infección por este virus varía en diferentes poblaciones y no hay publicaciones sobre la epidemiología de esta infección en Paraguay. Objetivo. Describir la seroprevalencia de la infección por VEB en estudiantes universitarios y las características sociodemográficas asociadas. Materiales y Métodos. Estudio transversal en estudiantes de una universidad pública del departamento Alto Paraná, Paraguay. Se incluyeron 101 participantes, mediante muestreo de casos consecutivos. Se aplicó un cuestionario y se tomó muestras sanguíneas. Se determinó la presencia de anticuerpos por el método ELISA de captura de IgG específicos contra el antígeno de la cápside viral -VCA del VEB, además se evaluaron factores asociados a la seropositividad. Resultados. La seroprevalencia global fue 89,1% (90/101), asociado (p<0,025) a la condición socioeconómica baja (93,4%vs 76%, OR: 4.9 [IC 95%: 1,2 ­16,3]). Conclusión. La seroprevalencia contra el virus de Epstein-Barr es alta en estudiantes universitarios y está asociada a la condición socioeconómica baja. Palabras Clave: estudios seroepidemiológicos; anticuerpos; infecciones por virus de Epstein-Barr; estudiantes; Paraguay

Introduction. Infections by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is also linked to multiple cancers. The prevalence of EBV infection varies in different populations and there is no publication about the epidemiology of this infection in Paraguay. Objective.To describethe seroprevalence among university students and associated sociodemographic characteristics. Material and Methods.Cross-sectional study in students from a public university in Alto Paraná, Paraguay.A total of 101 participants were recruited through consecutive sampling.Aquestionnaire was applied and blood samples were obtained. Antibodies were determined by Epstein-Barr Virus IgG anti-VCA capture ELISA method, and factors associated with seropositivity were evaluated. Results. The overall seropositivity was 89,1%(90/101), which was associated(p<0,025) with low socioeconomic status (93,4%vs 76%, OR: 4.9 [95% CI: 1.2 -16.3]). Conclusion. The seroprevalence to EBV is high in collegestudents which is associated to low socioeconomic condition. Key words: seroepidemiologic studies; antibodies; Epstein-Barr virus infections; students; Paraguay

Virus de Epstein-Barr: más que una mononucleosis infecciosa / Epstein-Barr virus: more than infectious mononucleosis

El virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) fue el primer virus asociado a neoplasias en humanos. Infecta el 95 % de la población mundial, y aunque usualmente es asintomático, puede causar mononucleosis infecciosa y se relaciona con más de 200.000 casos de neoplasias al año. De igual forma, se asocia con esclerosis múltiple y otras enfermedades autoinmunes. A pesar de ser catalogado como un virus oncogénico, solo un pequeño porcentaje de los individuos infectados desarrollan neoplasias asociadas a VEB. Su persistencia involucra la capacidad de alternar entre una serie de programas de latencia, y de reactivarse cuando tiene la necesidad de colonizar nuevas células B de memoria, con el fin de sostener una infección de por vida y poder transmitirse a nuevos hospederos. En esta revisión se presentan las generalidades del VEB, además de su asociación con varios tipos de neoplasias, como son el carcinoma nasofaríngeo, el carcinoma gástrico, el linfoma de Hodgkin y el linfoma de Burkitt, y la esclerosis múltiple. Adicionalmente, se describen los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de las diferentes entidades, algunos de ellos no completamente dilucidados

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the first virus associated with human cancer. It infects 95% of the world's population, and although it is usually asymptomatic, it causes infectious mononucleosis. It is related to more than 200,000 cases of cancer per year, and is also associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Despite being classified as an oncogenic virus, only a small percentage of infected individuals develop EBV-associated cancer. Its persistence involves the ability to alternate between a series of latency programs, and the ability to reactivate itself when it needs to colonize new memory B cells, in order to sustain a lifelong infection and be able to transmit to new hosts. In this review, the general characteristics of EBV are presented, in addition to its association with various types of cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the different entities are described, some of them not completely elucidated yet

Pathological Types,Expression of Mismatch Repair Protein,Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2,and Pan-TRK,and Eostein-Barr Virus Infection in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Resected in Tibet / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To study the pathological types,expression of mismatch repair protein,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2),and Pan-TRK,and Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection in patients with colorectal cancer resected in Tibet. Methods A total of 79 patients with colorectal cancer resected in Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from December 2013 to July 2021 were enrolled in this study.The clinical and pathological data of the patients were collected.The expression of mismatch repair protein,HER2,and Pan-TRK was detected by immunohistochemical(IHC)staining,and detection of HER2 gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)in the patients with HER2 IHC results of 2+ or above.EBV was detected by in situ hybridization with EBV-encoded small RNA. Results A total of 79 colorectal cancer patients were included in this study,with the male-to-female ratio of 1.26:1 and the mean age of(57.06±12.74)years(24-83 years).Among them,4 patients received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy.Colonic cancer and rectal cancer occurred in 57(57/79,72.15%,including 31 and 26 in the right colon and left colon,respectively)and 22(22/79,27.85%)patients,respectively.The maximum diameter of tumor varied within the range of 1-20 cm,with the mean of(6.61±3.33)cm.Among the 79 colorectal cancer patients,75(75/79,94.94%)patients showed adenocarcinoma.Lymph node metastasis occurred in 12(12/21,57.14%)out of the 21 patients with severe tumor budding,13(13/23,56.52%)out of the 23 patients with moderate tumor budding,and 2(2/31,6.45%)out of the 31 patients with mild tumor budding,respectively.The lymph node metastasis rate showed differences between the patients with severe/moderate tumor budding and the patients with mild tumor budding(all P<0.001).The IHC staining showed that mismatch repair protein was negative in 10(10/65,15.38%)patients,including 5 patients with both MSH2 and MSH6 negative,4 patients with both MLH1 and PMS2 negative,and 1 patient with MSH6 negative.Pan-TRK was negative in 65 patients.The IHC results of HER2 showed 0 or 1+ in 60 patients and 2+ in 5 patients.FISH showed no positive signal in the 5 patients with HER2 IHC results of 2+.The detection with EBV-encoded small RNA showed positive result in 1(1/65,1.54%)patient. Conclusions Non-specific adenocarcinoma of the right colon is the most common in the patients with colorectal cancer resected in Tibet,and 15% of the patients showed mismatch repair protein defects.EBV-associated colorectal carcer is rare,Pan-TRK expression and HER2 gene amplification are seldom.The colorectal cancer patients with moderate and severe tumor budding are more likely to have lymph node metastasis.

Expression Profile and Clinical Significance of Cytokines and Chemokines in Patients with Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the cytokine/chemokine profile in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and assess the prognostic value of survival.@*METHODS@#Serum levels of thirty-eight cytokines/chemokines were measured by multiple cytokine assay kit in EBV-related HLH patients, EBV-infected patients, and controls. The expression profile of cytokines/chemokines was compared among groups. The changes of cytokine/chemokine expression in active and remission stage of EBV-related HLH patients were also compared, and the prognostic values for survival were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Serum levels of interferon-α2 (IFN-α2), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-7 in EBV-related HLH patients were 33.67(23.23-68.78) pg/ml, (74.95±25.53) pg/ml, and 35.35(19.50-63.55) pg/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in EBV-infected patients［IFN-α2: 16.07(9.87-29.63); IL-6: 55.91±20.29; IL-7: 20.40(13.35-31.40)］ and controls ［IFN-α2: 11.02(4.67-21.25); IL-6:42.64±13.41; IL-7: 16.95(14.95-33.78)］(all P<0.05). Serum levels of IL-8, IL-9, and marcophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in EBV-related HLH patients were 11.00(7.50-15.27) pg/ml, 81.30(40.79-111.0) pg/ml, and (512.6±128.7) pg/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in controls ［IL-8: 6.80(5.56-8.38); IL-9: 41.30(29.82-67.91); MDC: 384.1±156.6］(all P<0.05), but there was no remarkable differences compared with EBV-infected patients (P>0.05). Serum IFN-α2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, and MDC in survival and death groups of EBV-related HLH patients were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve with area under curve of 0.781, 0.778, 0.633, 0.805, 0.562, and 0.657, respectively (P=0.019, 0.021, 0.269, 0.015, 0.607, and 0.190). IFN-α2, IL-6, and IL-8 had good predictive effect on survival. Serum level of IFN-α2, IL-6, and MDC of EBV-related HLH patients in remission stage were significantly lower than those in active stage (P<0.05), while IL-7, IL-8, and IL-9 were not different (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#IFN-α2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, and MDC may take part in the pathogenesis of EBV-related HLH.

Analysis of clinicopathological and molecular abnormalities of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinicopathological features, molecular changes and prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL).@*METHODS@#Sixty-one cases AITL diagnosed by Department of Pathology of Peking University Cancer Hospital were collected with their clinical data. Morphologically, they were classified as typeⅠ[lymphoid tissue reactive hyperplasia (LRH) like]; typeⅡ[marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)like] and type Ⅲ [peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not specified (PTCL-NOS) like]. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the presence of follicular helper T-cell (TFH) phenotype, proliferation of extra germinal center (GC) follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS)-like cells and large B transformation. The density of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) + cells was counted with slides stained by Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization on high power field (HPF). T-cell receptor / immunoglobulin gene (TCR/IG) clonality and targeted exome sequencing (TES) test were performed when necessary. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#Morphological subtype (%): 11.4% (7/61) cases were classified as type Ⅰ; 50.8% (31/61) as type Ⅱ; 37.8% (23/61) as type Ⅲ. 83.6% (51/61) cases showed classical TFH immunophenotype. With variable extra-GC FDC meshwork proliferation (median 20.0%); 23.0% (14/61) had HRS-like cells; 11.5% (7/61) with large B transformation. 42.6% (26/61) of cases with high counts of EBV. 57.9% (11/19) TCR+/IG-, 26.3% (5/19) TCR+/IG+, 10.5% (2/19) were TCR－/IG－, and 5.3% (1/19) TCR－/IG+. Mutation frequencies by TES were 66.7% (20/30) for RHOA, 23.3% (7/30) for IDH2 mutation, 80.0% (24/30) for TET2 mutation, and 33.3% (10/30) DNMT3A mutation. Integrated analysis divided into four groups: (1) IDH2 and RHOA co-mutation group (7 cases): 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 1 case was type Ⅲ; all with typical TFH phenotype; HRS-like cells and large B transformation were not found; (2) RHOA single mutation group (13 cases): 1 case was type Ⅰ, 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 6 cases were type Ⅲ; 5 cases without typical TFH phenotype; 6 cases had HRS-like cells, and 2 cases with large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case showed TCR－/IG－, 1 case with TCR－/IG+, and 1 case with TCR+/IG+; (3) TET2 and/or DNMT3A mutation alone group (7 cases): 3 cases were type Ⅱ, 4 cases were type Ⅲ, all cases were found with typical TFH phenotype; 2 cases had HRS-like cells, 2 cases with large B transformation, and atypically; (4) non-mutation group (3 cases), all were type Ⅱ, with typical TFH phenotype, with significant extra-GC FDC proliferation, without HRS-like cells and large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case was TCR－/IG－. Univariate analysis confirmed that higher density of EBV positive cell was independent adverse prognostic factors for both overall survival (OS) and progression free survival(PFS), (P=0.017 and P=0.046).@*CONCLUSION@#Pathological diagnoses of ALTL cases with HRS-like cells, large B transformation or type Ⅰ are difficult. Although TCR/IG gene rearrangement test is helpful but still with limitation. TES involving RHOA, IDH2, TET2, DNMT3A can robustly assist in the differential diagnosis of those difficult cases. Higher density of EBV positive cells counts in tumor tissue might be an indicator for poor survival.

Clinical features and prognosis of 118 children with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical features and prognosis of children with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL). Methods: The clinical data of 118 children with HNL diagnosed and treated in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical symptoms, laboratory examination, imaging examination, pathological findings, treatment and follow-up were analyzed. Results: Among the 118 patients, 69 were males and 49 were females. The age of onset was 10.0 (8.0, 12.0) years, ranging from 1.5 to 16.0 years. All the children had fever lymph node enlargement, blood system involvement in 74 cases (62.7%), skin injury in 39 cases (33.1%). The main manifestations of laboratory examination were increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 90 cases (76.3%), decreased hemoglobin in 58 cases (49.2%), decreased white blood cells in 54 cases (45.8%) and positive antinuclear antibody in 35 cases (29.7%). Ninety-seven cases (82.2%) underwent B-mode ultrasound of lymph nodes, showing nodular lesions with low echo in the neck; 22 cases (18.6%) underwent cervical X-ray and (or) CT; 7 cases (5.9%) underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging. Lymph node biopsy was performed in all 118 cases, and the pathological results did not support malignant diseases such as lymphoma or Epstein-Barr virus infection, suggesting HNL. Fifty-seven cases (48.3%) recovered without treatment, 61 cases (51.7%) received oral steroid therapy, and 4 cases (3.4%) received indomethacin as anal stopper. The 118 cases were followed up for 4 (2, 6) years, ranging from 1 to 7 years, 87 cases (73.7%) had one onset and did not develop into other rheumatological diseases, and 24 cases (20.3%) had different degrees of recurrence, 7 cases (5.9%) had multiple system injuries, and all of the tested autoantibodies were positive for medium and high titers. All of them developed into other rheumatic immune diseases, among which 5 cases developed into systemic lupus erythematosus and 2 cases developed into Sjogren's syndrome; 7 cases were given oral steroid therapy, including 6 cases plus immunosuppressant and 2 cases receiving methylprednisolone 20 mg/kg shock therapy. Conclusions: The first-onset HNL portion is self-healing, hormone-sensitive and has a good prognosis. For HNL with repeated disease and multiple system injury, antinuclear antibody titer should be monitored during follow-up, and attention should be paid to the possibility of developing into other rheumatological diseases, with poor prognosis.

Clinicopathological features of fibrin-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a report of six cases / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical, pathological and immunophenotypic features, molecular biology and prognosis of fibrin-associated large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL-FA) in various sites. Methods: Six cases of LBCL-FA diagnosed from April 2016 to November 2021 at the Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China and the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China were collected. The cases were divided into atrial myxoma and cyst-related groups. Clinical characteristics, pathological morphology, immunophenotype, Epstein Barr virus infection status, B-cell gene rearrangement and fluorescence in situ hybridization of MYC, bcl-2, bcl-6 were summarized. Results: The patients' mean age was 60 years. All of them were male. Three cases occurred in atrial myxoma background, while the others were in cyst-related background, including adrenal gland, abdominal cavity and subdura. All cases showed tumor cells located in pink fibrin clot. However, three cyst-related cases showed the cyst wall with obviously fibrosis and inflammatory cells. All cases tested were non germinal center B cell origin, positive for PD-L1, EBER and EBNA2, and were negative for MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements, except one case with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 amplification. All of the 5 cases showed monoclonal rearrangement of the Ig gene using PCR based analysis. The patients had detailed follow-ups of 9-120 months, were treated surgically without radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and had long-term disease-free survivals. Conclusions: LBCL-FA is a group of rare diseases occurring in various sites, with predilection in the context of atrial myxoma and cyst-related lesions. Cyst-related lesions with obvious chronic inflammatory background show more scarcity of lymphoid cells and obvious degeneration, which are easy to be missed or misdiagnosed. LBCL-FA overall has a good prognosis with the potential for cure by surgery alone and postoperative chemotherapy may not be necessary.

Dynamic monitoring of plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA load can predict the occurrence of lymphoproliferative disorders after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To determine the optimal cutoff value of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load that can assist in the diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) . Methods: The data of patients with EBV infection after haplo-HSCT from January to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Through constructing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the Youden index to determine the cutoff value of EBV-DNA load and its duration of diagnostic significance for PTLD. Results: A total of 94 patients were included, of whom 20 (21.3% ) developed PTLD, with a median onset time of 56 (40-309) d after transplantation. The median EBV value at the time of diagnosis of PTLD was 70,400 (1,710-1,370,000) copies/ml, and the median duration of EBV viremia was 23.5 (4-490) d. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the peak EBV-DNA load (the EBV-DNA load at the time of diagnosis in the PTLD group) and duration of EBV viremia between the PTLD and non-PTLD groups. The results showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.018 and P=0.001) . The ROC curve was constructed to calculate the Youden index, and it was concluded that the EBV-DNA load ≥ 41 850 copies/ml after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.847) , and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.611 and 0.932, respectively. The duration of EBV viremia of ≥20.5 d had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.833) , with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.778 and 0.795, respectively. Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring of EBV load in high-risk patients with PTLD after haplo-HSCT and attention to its duration have important clinical significance, which can help clinically predict the occurrence of PTLD in advance and take early intervention measures.

Inflammatory granuloma of the trachea: a rare case with Epstin-Barr virus infection / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a double-stranded DNA virus with an envelope, is a ubiquitous pathogen that is prevalent in humans, although most people who contract it do not develop symptoms (Kerr, 2019). While the primary cells EBV attacks are epithelial cells and B lymphocytes, its target range expands to a variety of cell types in immunodeficient hosts. Serological change occurs in 90% of infected patients. Therefore, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG, serologically reactive to viral capsid antigens, are reliable biomarkers for the detection of acute and chronic EBV infections (Cohen, 2000). Symptoms of EBV infection vary according to age and immune status. Young patients with primary infection may present with infectious mononucleosis; there is a typical triad of symptoms including fever, angina, and lymphadenectasis (Houen and Trier, 2021). In immunocompromised patients, response after EBV infection may be atypical, with unexplained fever. The nucleic acid of EBV can be detected to confirm whether high-risk patients are infected (Smets et al., 2000). EBV is also associated with the occurrence of certain tumors (such as lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma) because it transforms host cells (Shannon-Lowe et al., 2017; Tsao et al., 2017).

Comparative Analysis of Primary and Reactivated EB Virus Infection Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical characteristics of children with hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (HLH) associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and EBV reactivation, and explore the effects of different EBV infection status on the clinical indexes and prognosis of HLH.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 51 children with EBV associated HLH treated in Henan Children's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2021 were collected. According to the detection results of plasma EBV antibody spectrum, they were divided into EBV primary infection-associated HLH group (18 cases) and EBV reactivation-associated HLH group (33 cases). The clinical features, laboratory indexes and prognosis of the two groups were analyzed and compared.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in age, gender, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, neutrophil count in peripheral blood, hemoglobin content, platelet count, plasma EBV-DNA load, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, fibrinogen, triglyceride, ferritin, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, NK cell activity and sCD25 between the two groups(P>0.05). The central nervous system involvement and CD4/CD8 in EBV reactivation-associated HLH group were significantly higher than those in primary infection-associated HLH group, but the total bilirubin was significantly lower than that in primary infection-associated HLH group (P<0.05). After treatment according to HLH-2004 protocol, the remission rate, 5-year OS rate and 5-year EFS rate of patients in EBV reactivation-associated HLH group were significantly lower than those in EBV primary infection-associated HLH group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EBV reactivation-associated HLH is more likely to cause central nervous system involvement and the prognosis is worser than EBV primary infection-associated HLH, which requires intensive treatment.

Progressively transformed germinal center-like follicular T-cell lymphoma:a clinicopathological analysis of 14 cases / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of progressively transformed germinal center-like follicular T-cell lymphoma (PTGC-like FTCL). Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 14 PTGC-like FTCL cases that were diagnosed at the Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University from January 2017 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected. Clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status were analyzed in these cases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the clonal gene rearrangements of T cell receptor (TCR) and the immunoglobulin (Ig) in 10 and 8 cases, respectively. Results: The male to female ratio was 5∶2. The median age was 61 years (range 32-70 years). All patients had lymphadenopathy at the time of diagnosis. By using the Ann Arbor system staging, seven cases were classified as stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, and seven cases as stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. Seven cases had B symptoms, four cases had splenomegaly, and two cases had skin rash and pruritus. Previously, three cases were diagnosed as classic Hodgkin's lymphoma, three cases as small B-cell lymphoma, two cases as atypical lymphoid hyperplasia unable to exclude angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), one case as EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, and one case as peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) associated with the proliferation of B cells. All the 14 cases showed that the large nodules were composed of mature CD20+, IgD+B lymphocytes admixed with small aggregates of neoplastic cells with pale to clear cytoplasm. Moreover, hyperplastic germinal centers (GCs) and Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg-like (HRS-like) cells were seen within these nodules in two and five cases, respectively. The neoplastic cells expressed CD3 (14/14), CD4 (14/14), PD1 (14/14), ICOS (14/14), CD10 (9/14), bcl-6 (12/14), CXCL13 (10/14), and CD30 (10/14). The HRS-like cells in five cases expressed CD20 (2/5), PAX5 (5/5), CD30 (5/5), CD15 (2/5), LCA (0/5), OCT2 (5/5) and BOB1 (2/5). Moreover, neoplastic T cells formed rosettes around HRS-like cells. EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization showed scattered, small, positive bystander B lymphocytes in 8/14 cases, including 3/5 cases containing HRS-like cells. All tested cases (including five with HRS-like cells) showed monoclonal TCR gene rearrangement and polyclonal Ig gene rearrangement. Conclusions: PTGC-like FTCL is a rare tumor originated from T-follicular helper cells. It could be distinguished from angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma by the formation of follicular structure, and lack of follicular dendritic cell proliferation outside the follicles and the polymorphous inflammatory background. In addition, it should be differentiated from lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin's lymphoma and low-grade B cell lymphoma.

Clinical significance of Epstein-Barr Virus detection in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To analyze the detection rate, clinical significance, and prognosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 1100 patients who underwent the CSF virus test after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Peking University People's Hospital between January 2017 and June 2022. Among them, 19 patients were screened positive for EBV in their CSF, and their clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed. Results: Among 19 patients with EBV-positive cerebrospinal fluid, 12 were male and 7 were female, with 5 patients aged <18 years and 12 aged ≥18 years, with a median age of 27 (5-58) years old. There were 7 cases of acute myeloid leukemia, 8 of acute lymphocytic leukemia, 2 of aplastic anemia, 1 of Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 1 of hemophagocytic syndrome. All 19 patients underwent haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including 1 secondary transplant. Nineteen patients had neurological symptoms (headache, dizziness, convulsions, or seizures), of which 13 had fever. Ten cases showed no abnormalities in cranial imaging examination. Among the 19 patients, 6 were diagnosed with EB virus-related central nervous system diseases, with a median diagnosis time of 50 (22-363) days after transplantation. In 9 (47.3%) patients, EBV was detected in their peripheral blood, and they were treated with intravenous infusion of rituximab (including two patients who underwent lumbar puncture and intrathecal injection of rituximab). After treatment, EBV was not detected in seven patients. Among the 19 patients, 2 died from EBV infection and 2 from other causes. Conclusion: In patients who exhibited central nervous system symptoms after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, EBV should be screened as a potential pathogen. EBV detected in the CSF may indicate an infection; however, it does not confirm the diagnosis.

Efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of 28 patients with hepatitis-related aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hepatitis-related aplastic anemia (HRAA) patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia patients who received haplo-HSCT at our center between January 2012 and June 2022. October 30, 2022 was the final date of follow-up. Results: This study included 28 HRAA patients receiving allo-HSCT, including 18 males (64.3% ) and 10 females (35.7% ), with a median age of 25.5 (9-44) years. About 17 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 10 cases of very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and 1 case of transfusion-dependent aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA) were identified. Among 28 patients, 15 patients received haplo-HSCT, and 13 received MSD-HSCT. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, the 2-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate, the 2-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) rate, the 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) cumulative incidence rate, and the 2-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) cumulative incidence rate were 81.4%, 81.4% (95% CI 10.5% -20.6% ), 14.6% (95% CI 5.7% -34.3% ), 25.0% (95% CI 12.8% -45.4% ), and 4.2% (95% CI 0.6% -25.4% ), respectively. After transplantation, all patients had no significant liver function damage. Compared with the MSD-HSCT group, only the incidence of cytomegaloviremia was significantly higher in the haplo-HSCT group [60.0% (95% CI 35.2% -84.8% ) vs 7.7% (95% CI 0-22.2% ), P=0.004]. No statistically significant difference in the Epstein-Barr virus was found in the 2-year OS, 2-year FFS, 2-year TRM, and 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD cumulative incidence rates and 2-year cGVHD cumulative incidence rate. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT is safe and effective for HRAA, and haplo-HSCT can be used as a safe and effective alternative for newly diagnosed HRAA patients who cannot obtain HLA-matched sibling donors.

Composite B-cell and T-cell lymphomas: clinical, pathological, and molecular features of three cases and literature review / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Composite lymphoma (CL) involving B-cell lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma is extremely rare. Herein, we report three such cases using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and the next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify the pathological and molecular characteristics of CL. In the first case, the patient was admitted to hospital for generalized pruritic maculopapular rash over the whole body. An excisional biopsy of the skin lesions showed T-cell lymphoma. At the same time, the staging bone marrow (BM) biopsy revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). After R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) therapies, the patient produced a good response with substantial dissipation of the rashes and relief of skin. The other two patients were admitted to hospital due to lymphadenopathy and were diagnosed with DLBCL and follicular lymphoma (FL) after core needle biopsy of lymph nodes, BM biopsy, BM aspiration, and flow cytometry. Following R-CHOP and R-COP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone) therapies, they achieved complete remission unconfirmed (CRu) and complete remission (CR). However, one or two years later, they suffered a relapse of lymphadenopathy. The shocking fact was that re-biopsy of lymphadenopathy revealed peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). NGS findings identified DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a), isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2), Ras homolog gene family, member A (RHOA), splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1), and tumor protein p53 (TP53) mutations. After immunochemotherapy, these patients achieved CRu and CR again. Nevertheless, they suffered a second relapse of T-cell lymphoma. Finally, they died due to progression of disease. We found that the occurrence of CL is associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and DNMT3a, IDH2, and TP53 mutations, and the prognosis of the disease is closely related to the T-cell lymphoma components.

Characteristics of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA in children with primary infection / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the characteristics of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in primary infection in pediatric cases. Methods: The laboratory and clinical data of 571 children diagnosed with EBV primary infection in Children's Hospital of Fudan University during September 1st, 2017 to September 30th, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of plasma EBV DNA, they were divided into positive group and negative group. According to the EBV DNA, they were devided into high plasma virol load group and low plasma virol load group. The Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Among the 571 children with EBV primary infection, 334 were males and 237 were females. The age of first diagnosis was 3.8 (2.2, 5.7) years. There were 255 cases in positive group and 316 cases in negative group. The percentage of cases with fever,hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, elevated transaminase in the positive group were higher than those in the negative group (235 cases (92.2%) vs. 255 cases (80.7%), χ2=15.22, P<0.001; 169 cases (66.3%) vs. 85 cases (26.9%), χ2=96.80, P<0.001; and 144 cases (56.5%) vs. 120 cases (38.0%), χ2=18.27, P<0.001; respectively).In the positive group, 70 cases were followed up for 46 (27, 106) days, 68 cases (97.1%) turned negative within 28 days, with the exception of 2 cases (2.9%) developed chronic active EBV infection by follow-up revision.There were 218 cases in high plasma viral DNA copies group and 37 cases in low copies group. More cases presented with elevated transaminases in the high plasma viral DNA copies group than those in the low group (75.7% (28/37) vs. 56.0%(116/207), χ2=5.00, P=0.025).Both the positive rate of EBV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (84.2% (266/316) vs. 44.7% (255/571), χ2=76.26, P<0.001) and the copies of EBV DNA (7.0×107 (1.3×107, 3.0×108) vs. 3.1×106 (1.6×106, 6.1×106) copies /L, Z=15.23, P<0.001) were higher than that of plasma. Conclusions: In immunocompetent pediatric cases diagnosed as EBV primary infection, cases with positive plasma EBV DNA were prone to have fever, hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, and elevated transaminase than those with negative plasma viral DNA. The plasma EBV DNA usually turns negative within 28 days after initial diagnosis.Most cases with high viral load in plasma showed elevated aminotransferase.

Primary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma in children and adolescents: a clinicopathological analysis of five cases / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To study the clinicopathological characteristics, and further understand primary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma (PCNSTCL) in children and adolescents. Methods: Five cases of PCNSTCL in children and adolescents were collected from December 2016 to December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotypic, and molecular pathologic features were analyzed, and relevant literatures reviewed. Results: There were two male and three female patients with a median age of 14 years (range 11 to 18 years). There were two peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified, two anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive and one NK/T cell lymphoma. Pathologically, the tumor cells showed a variable histomorphologic spectrum, including small, medium and large cells with diffuse growth pattern and perivascular accentuation. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed CD3 expression in four cases, and CD3 was lost in one case. CD5 expression was lost in four cases and retained in one case. ALK and CD30 were expressed in two cases. One tumor expressed CD56 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. All cases showed a cytotoxic phenotype with expression of TIA1 and granzyme B. Three cases had a high Ki-67 index (>50%). T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement was clonal in two cases. Conclusions: PCNSTCL is rare, especially in children and adolescents. The morphology of PCNSTCL is diverse. Immunohistochemistry and TCR gene rearrangement play important roles in the diagnosis.

Infección por virus de epstein barr y debut de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) en un adolescente / Epstein barr virus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) debut in an adolescent / Infecção pelo vírus Epstein Barr e início de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) em adolescente

Introducción: El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), prototipo de enfermedad autoinmune, cursa con empujes y remisiones. Dada la diversidad de presentaciones posibles, su diagnóstico y tratamiento son un reto para el clínico, y se requiere tener un alto índice de sospecha. Objetivo: presentar el caso clínico de un adolescente que debuta con LES a forma de anemia hemolítica, probablemente gatillado por infección por virus de Epstein Barr. Caso clínico: Varón de 14 años, sin antecedentes a destacar. Consulta por fiebre de 7 días de evolución de hasta 39º C, odinofagia, astenia y adinamia. Al examen físico se constata palidez cutáneo mucosa, ictericia, adenopatías cervicales y hepatoesplenomegalia. El laboratorio muestra anemia severa regenerativa con aumento de las bilirrubinas a expensas de la indirecta sin hepatitis. Prueba de Coombs positiva. Anticuerpos específicos para Epstein Barr positivos, con lo que se diagnostica anemia hemolítica secundaria a mononucleosis y se inicia tratamiento corticoideo. En la evolución agrega eritema malar y limitación en flexión de codos y rodillas. Se reciben anticuerpos antinucleares y anti ADN nativo positivos con hipocomplementemia severa. Con diagnóstico de LES se inicia hidroxicloroquina y azatioprina, manteniéndose la prednisona. Conclusiones: Muchos virus (hepatitis C, Parvovirus B19, Epstein Barr y Citomegalovirus) se han descrito como posibles inductores o simuladores de LES. Es necesario mantener un alto índice de sospecha para realizar un diagnóstico oportuno y tratamiento precoz.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), prototype of autoimmune disease, progresses with flares and remissions. Given the diversity of possible presentations, its diagnosis and treatment are a challenge for the clinician, and a high index of suspicion is required. Objective: To present the clinical case of an adolescent who debuted with SLE in the form of hemolytic anemia, probably triggered by Epstein Barr virus infection. Clinical case: 14 - year - old male, with no history to highlight. Consultation for fever of 7 days of evolution of up to 39º C, odynophagia, asthenia and adynamia. Physical examination revealed mucous skin pallor, jaundice, cervical lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. The laboratory shows severe regenerative anemia with increased bilirubin at the expense of indirect without hepatitis. Positive Coombs test. Specific antibodies for Epstein Barr were positive, with which hemolytic anemia secondary to mononucleosis was diagnosed and corticosteroid treatment was started. In the evolution, it adds malar erythema and limitation in flexion of the elbows and knees. Positive antinuclear and anti-native DNA antibodies are received with severe hypocomplementemia. With a diagnosis of SLE, hydroxychloroquine and azathioprine were started, maintaining prednisone. Conclusions: Many viruses (hepatitis C, Parvovirus B19, Epstein Barr and Cytomegalovirus) have been described as possible inducers or mimics of SLE. It is necessary to maintain a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis and early treatment.

Introdução: O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), protótipo de doença autoimune, evolui com impulsos e remissões. Dada a diversidade de apresentações possíveis, seu diagnóstico e tratamento são um desafio para o clínico, sendo necessário um alto índice de suspeição. Objetivo: apresentar o caso clínico de uma adolescente que iniciou com LES na forma de anemia hemolítica, provavelmente desencadeada por infecção pelo vírus Epstein Barr. Caso clínico: Homem de 14 anos, sem antecedentes a destacar. Consulta por febre de 7 dias de evolução de até 39º C, odinofagia, astenia e adinamia. O exame físico revelou palidez cutânea mucosa, icterícia, linfadenopatia cervical e hepatoesplenomegalia. O laboratório mostra anemia regenerativa grave com aumento da bilirrubina em detrimento da indireta sem hepatite. Teste de Coombs positivo. Anticorpos específicos para Epstein Barr foram positivos, com o qual foi diagnosticada anemia hemolítica secundária à mononucleose e iniciado tratamento com corticosteróides. Na evolução, acrescenta eritema malar e limitação na flexão dos cotovelos e joelhos. Anticorpos antinucleares e anti-DNA nativos positivos são recebidos com hipocomplementemia grave. Com diagnóstico de LES, iniciou-se hidroxicloroquina e azatioprina, mantendo-se prednisona. Conclusões: Muitos vírus (hepatite C, Parvovírus B19, Epstein Barr e Citomegalovírus) têm sido descritos como possíveis indutores ou mimetizadores do LES. É necessário manter um alto índice de suspeição para diagnóstico oportuno e tratamento precoce.