PRESENCIA DEL MARCADOR LMP-1 DEL VIRUS EPSTEIN-BARR EN LINFOMAS DE CANINOS

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a humans’ high prevalent virus associated with lymphoid B cells tumors development. In canines, few reports have been published regarding the presence of the virus in dogs but its role in this species remain unclear.  The aim of this study was to determine the presence of LMP-1 protein of EBV in 20 canine lymphomas tissues which were previously diagnosed in a period of time between 2004 -2014.  Lymphomas were reclassified in accordance with the new histopathological classifications for lymphomas and were stained by IHQ with anti-CD79a, anti-CD3 and anti-LMP1; specific antibodies for B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and EBV biomarker respectively.  As a result, it was found that the most common lymphoma was T-zone lymphoma in 75% of the cases of the study. The distribution of the cases regarding the immunostaining were: 18 positive cases with anti- CD3, 2 positive cases with anti-CD79a and 6 positive cases with anti-LMP-1.  Positive cases of LMP1 as a biomarker of the presence of EBV corresponded to the 30% of the cases of the study. Chi-square test showed statistical significance between the presence of the virus and the presence of lymphomas, which suggests not only that the virus is circulating in the canine population but also that could have implications in the development of the disease. Regarding demographic parameters, only the Golden Retriever breed showed a relationship with the presence of lymphoma, but not with the presence of the virus.