EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer of the oral cavity associated with HIV/AIDS.

Objective: To present 2 cases of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive mucocutaneous ulcer of the oral mucosa in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Study Design: Two recently diagnosed cases of EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer of the oral mucosa in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reviewed with regard to their clinical, histomorphologic, and immunophenotypic features.

Results: Both cases presented clinically as well-circumscribed ulcers that were histomorphologically characterized by dense superficial polymorphous inflammatory infiltrates. The infiltrates comprised cells with a predominant B-cell phenotype that ranged in size from small to intermediate with occasional large immunoblastic forms. Some of the larger B cells had a Reed-Sternberg-like morphology. The B cells were positive for CD20 and coexpressed CD30 and to a lesser extent CD15. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER) positivity was detected in most of the B cells.

Conclusions: EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer represents an unusual form of lymphoproliferative disorder associated with immune suppression. It should be distinguished from other forms of HIV-associated oral ulceration.