Abstract
Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL) or Kikuchi's disease is a
distinctive, self-limited disorder characterized by necrotizing cervical
lymphadenopathy in young individuals. HNL is more prevalent among Asians and is
a relatively common disorder among Koreans. A preceding fever, lymphopenia, and
occasional skin rashes suggest a viral etiology and there have been sporadic
reports of viral association. However, so far, no infectious agent has been
proven to be etiologically related. In the present study, the authors examined
HNL tissue samples for the presence of the genome of herpesviridae. A polymerase
chain reaction was performed on 12 freshly frozen lymph nodes with HNL with a
single pair of consensus primers selected within a highly conserved region of
the DNA polymerase gene of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), designed to detect
herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), and
cytomegalovirus (CMV) in addition to EBV. The amplified products of known sizes
were then analyzed by a single restriction enzyme treatment for confirmation. No
viral DNA was amplified in any of the 12 cases of histiocytic necrotizing
lymphadenitis. The authors conclude that there is no evidence that HSV1, HSV2,
CMV, or EBV plays any role in the pathogenesis of histiocytic necrotizing
lymphadenitis.