Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of Hodgkinʹs disease

Epidemiologic and clinico-pathologic features of Hodgkinʹs disease suggest that an infectious agent may be involved in the pathogenesis of this puzzling disorder. Recently accumulated data provide direct evidence supporting a causal role of Epstein-Barr virus in a significant proportion of cases. In addition to allowing a better understanding of the complex pathogenesis of Hodgkinʹs disease, these virological advances, briefly reviewed herein, also constitute an important basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies.