Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus-negative oral plasmablastic lymphoma

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual subtype of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that was first described in the oral cavity. HIV-related lymphomas are frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Recently, dual infection with EBV and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) has been demonstrated in PBL. So far, a few cases of PBL occurring in an HIV-negative patient have been documented and all of them were associated with immunosuppression status and/or EBV infection. Here we report a EBV and HHV8-negative oral PBL occurring in an immunocompetent HIV-negative male, which would be the first case.