LMP1 Expression of Esptein Baar Virus in Pediatric Lymphomas: A 06-Year Retrospective Series in Dakar

Persistent Epstein Baar Virus (EBV) infection may be a perfect target for the treatment of EBV-associated lymphomas and improved patient outcomes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of LMP1 (Latence membrane Protein 1) expression in pediatric lymphomas in Dakar. <i>Material and Methods</i>: This was a retrospective, descriptive study from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. It was based on blocks and anatomopathological reports of pediatric Lymphomas in 04 ACP laboratories in Dakar. The immunohistochemical study was carried out at the IBN ROCHD Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, using a manual method. LMP1 immunostaining was considered positive if 10% of tumour cells showed cytoplasmic staining. <i>Results</i>: Positive staining for LMP1 was noted in 13 of the 42 cases of pediatric lymphomas tested, i.e. 31% of cases. These included 09 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma, i.e. 69% (9/13), and 04 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, i.e. 31%. LMP1-positive classical Hodgkin's lymphomas accounted for 40.09% (9/22) of Hodgkin's lymphomas, and were of the mixed cellularity (6/22) and scleronodular (3/22) subtypes. The frequency of LMP1-positive samples in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was 20% (4/20). These included 3 cases of Burkitt's lymphoma and 1 case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. <i>Conclusion</i>: The frequency of EBV infection in pediatric lymphomas in Senegal is lower than in endemic areas of Africa.