This antibody reacts with a 60 kD
latent membrane protein encoded by the BNLF1 gene of the Epstein Barr Virus
(EBV). All three antibodies in this combination recognize distinct epitopes in
the hydrophillic carboxyl region of the latent membrane protein (LMP). EBV has
been implicated with Hodgkin’s disease, and may be involved in
the pathogenesis of Hodgkin’s occurring in children. Other studies have
shown a low incidence of EBV in B-cell type lymphomas unless patients were
immunologically impaired, such as post-organ transplantation or autoimmune
type diseases. This antibody does stain EBV + Burkitt’s lymphomas and has shown
some crossreactivity with smooth muscle and blood
vessels.