Role of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpes virus-8 in benign lymphoepithelial cysts of the parotid gland

OBJECTIVE: To provide background and evaluate the role of herpesviruses in benign lymphoepithelial cysts (BLC) of the parotid gland. STUDY DESIGN: Case series derived from review of pathology specimens. METHODS: Radiolabeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was used to detect for the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) DNA sequences in 14 paraffin embedded specimens and 1 freshly aspirated BLC specimen. Thirteen normal parotid tissue specimens obtained from paraffin embedded blocks were used as a control group. RESULTS: CMV was detected with nearly equal frequency between the two groups (23% of normal vs. 20% in BLC). HHV-8 was found in 13% of the BLC group and in none of the normal group (P =.4841). There was significant difference in EBV detection between the normal (0%) and the BLC (33%) groups (P =.0437). CONCLUSION: CMV and HHV-8 does not appear to be associated with BLCs. Although EBV is found more frequently in BLC than in normal parotid controls, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of this virus in BLC pathogenesis.