Conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

Abstract

To describe the clinicopathologic features of two patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates. Two case reports. The clinical histories and pathologic findings of two patients with salmon-colored conjunctival infiltrates are described. Clinical observation and pathologic examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens with accompanying immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and polymerase chain reaction analysis when appropriate. One patient had ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy, elevated serum EBV titers, and a unilateral reactive lymphocytic infiltrate resulting in a conjunctival mass. The other patient had bilateral conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates causing conjunctival masses. There was an expanded clonal population of B lymphocytes in the conjunctival mass in the second patient. Both patients had EBV antigen in their conjunctival lymphocytic infiltrates. Conjunctival lymphocytic lesions associated with EBV represent a spectrum of reactive infiltrates to monoclonal populations.