Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Environmental Science
First Advisor
Dr. Mouied AI-Ashari
Second Advisor
Dr. Suhail Abdullah AI-Salam
Third Advisor
Dr. Ahmad Hasan Sultan
Abstract
Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often found in human tonsils and adenoids, it remains to be precisely determined in what cells and microenvironment the virus is present. Although generally regarded as a B lymphotropic virus, EBV can infect non B-cells. The aim of this project is to determine the prevalence of EBV in the tonsils and adenoids of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Nationals and to provide a basis for understanding the origin and biology of EBV -infected B and non-B cells, the immunophenotype of all EBV -infected cells in reactive tonsils was determined by subjecting tonsil and adenoid sections of 46 cases (92 specimens) to EBER in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies to T –cells (CD3), B-cells (CD20) and epithelial cells (cytokeratin), as well as immunostaining with antibodies to EBV latent proteins LMP-1. EBV is found in 43% of tonsillectomy specimens and 15% of adenoidectomy specimens. Nearly all EBV -infected cells are found to be B lymphocytes. About 90% of the EBV -infected cells are found in the interfollicular regions of tonsils and adenoids and the remaining 1 0% are found within the follicles. There is no significant association between EBV infection and age (P= 0.324) and gender (P= 0.442). In conclusion EBV is associated with tonsillar hypertrophy and is prevalent in 43% of our cases. In situ hybridization is the gold standard method for the detection of EBV in tissue.
Recommended Citation
Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Shamma Sultan, "The Prevalence of Epstein Barr Virus in the Tonsils and Adenoids of United Arab Emirates Nationals" (2010). Theses. 655.
https://scholarworks.uaeu.ac.ae/all_theses/655
