Epstein-Barr virus infection in liver transplantation patients: Correlation of histopathology and semiquantitative epstein-barr virus-DNA recovery using polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may complicate orthotopic liver transplantation, and can lead to hepatitis with subsequent graft failure and to benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Early diagnosis allows for prevention or treatment of complications. Histopathologic features of EBV infection in the liver vary and may be difficult to recognize. To delineate the morphologic features that allow for recognition we studied 61 biopsy specimens from 37 patients, correlating the results of EBV-DNA demonstration after polymerase chain reaction with histopathology of formalin-fixed, hematoxylin-eosin-stained liver biopsy specimens. DNA was extracted from fresh liver biopsy samples, and polymerase chain reaction was carried out with EBV primers (capsid protein gp220) using standard techniques and 25-cycle amplification. Epstein-Barr virus-related sequences after polymerase chain reaction were detected by DNA blot assay. Histopathologic features were classified into three categories on the basis of the semiobjective determination of the number and distribution of immunoblasts and other immature lymphocytes in portal tracts and sinusoids: highly suggestive (three biopsy specimens), indeterminant (one biopsy specimen), and negative (57 biopsy specimens). Only the three highly suggestive biopsy specimens had high levels of EBV-DNA. We conclude that the histopathologic features of EBV infection after orthotopic liver transplantation can be relied on to establish the diagnosis.