• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1191-1197
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• 2008

Purpose : Previously, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was diagnosed by serological examination; currently, many EBV antigen detection methods have been developed and applied clinically for diagnosing EBV infection. To delineate the clinical characteristics of EBV infection, clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated for patients who tested positive in EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods : EBV PCR was conducted in 352 patients admitted to the pediatric ward from January 2004 to December 2006, with more than 2 clinical signs such as fever (${\geq}37.5^{\circ}C$), exudative throat infection, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis of unknown etiology, and splenomegaly. The EBV viral gene was detected by PCR in 115 patients (32%), and the clinical characteristics of these patients were evaluated. Laboratory findings such as leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, atypical lymphocyte, and alteration in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in peripheral blood were examined. The EBV-specific immunoglobulin M antibody (EBV-IgM Ab) was also tested. Results : Most of the children were younger than 8 years (89%), and the male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Exudative throat infection and fever (${\geq}37.5^{\circ}C$) were observed in all patients. Cervical lymph node enlargement was seen in 36 patients (31 %); leukocytosis ($WBC{\geq}10,000/mm^3$), in 54 patients (47%); and atypical lymphocyte (${\geq}20%$), in 28 patients (24%). EBV-IgM Ab was positive in 33 patients (29%). The younger patients had higher ALT levels and higher incidence of positive EBV-IgM Ab than the older patients. Conclusion : The cumulative number of patients diagnosed to have EBV infection by PCR increased markedly for those under 8 years. ALT was higher and EBV-IgM Ab was detected more in younger patients with EBV infection.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) shows a distinct geographic and demographic distribution with high incidences in Chinese and Southeast Asians. Current WHO classification divides NPC into nonkeratinizing carcinoma(NKC)(differentiated and undifferentiated subtypes), keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma(KSCC), and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma(BSCC). Relative frequency of histologic subtypes of NPC is known to vary according to the incidence of NPC. Korea is one of the low-incidence countries according to the GLOBOCAN 2008 database by IARC. The aim of this study is to assess the histopathologic types and EBV status of NPC of Koreans. Materials and Methods : We reviewed and reclassified 168 cases of NPC(132 males and 36 females) diagnosed from January 1996 through July 2006. In situ hybridization for EBV-encoded early RNA(EBER) was performed on 146 cases and the results were compared among different histologic types, genders, and age and stage groups. Results : NKC, undifferentiated subtype(NKC-U) was identified in 106 cases(63.1%) and differentiated subtype(NKC-D) in 49 cases(29.2%). Remaining 13 cases(7.7%) were classified as KSCC. NKC and NKC-U were more common in females than in males. EBV prevalence was higher in NKC than in KSCC(NKC-U, 90% ;, NKC-D, 84.1% ; KSCC, 7.7%) and more common in younger age(${\leq}40$) than older age(>40) group. Conclusion : Histologic type distribution and EBV prevalence of NPC in Korean patients corresponded to that of intermediate incidence area. Pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal KSCC is assumed to be different from that of NKC.