Conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates associated with Epstein-Barr virus

Ophthalmology. 2000 Jan;107(1):159-63. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(99)00014-7.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the clinicopathologic features of two patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates.

Design: Two case reports.

Methods: The clinical histories and pathologic findings of two patients with salmon-colored conjunctival infiltrates are described.

Main outcome measurements: Clinical observation and pathologic examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens with accompanying immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and polymerase chain reaction analysis when appropriate.

Results: One patient had ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy, elevated serum EBV titers, and a unilateral reactive lymphocytic infiltrate resulting in a conjunctival mass. The other patient had bilateral conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates causing conjunctival masses. There was an expanded clonal population of B lymphocytes in the conjunctival mass in the second patient. Both patients had EBV antigen in their conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates.

Conclusions: Conjunctival lymphocytic lesions associated with EBV represent a spectrum of reactive infiltrates to monoclonal populations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Child
  • Conjunctiva / pathology
  • Conjunctival Diseases / genetics
  • Conjunctival Diseases / pathology*
  • Conjunctival Diseases / virology
  • Eye Infections, Viral / genetics
  • Eye Infections, Viral / pathology*
  • Eye Infections, Viral / virology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain / genetics
  • Herpesviridae Infections / genetics
  • Herpesviridae Infections / pathology*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pseudolymphoma / genetics
  • Pseudolymphoma / pathology*
  • Pseudolymphoma / virology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / genetics
  • Tumor Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / virology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains