TY - JOUR T1 - Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded small RNAs: targets for detection by in situ hybridisation with oligonucleotide probes. JF - Journal of Clinical Pathology JO - J Clin Pathol SP - 616 LP - 620 DO - 10.1136/jcp.45.7.616 VL - 45 IS - 7 AU - G Khan AU - P J Coates AU - H O Kangro AU - G Slavin Y1 - 1992/07/01 UR - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/45/7/616.abstract N2 - AIMS: To develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific non-isotopic in situ hybridisation (NISH) procedure for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus in formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues. METHODS: Two low molecular weight RNAs, designated EBER-1 and EBER-2 (Epstein-Barr encoded RNA), were used: cells latently infected with EBV secrete large amounts of EBERs. The method uses digoxigenin labelled anti-sense oligonucleotides, corresponding to sequences in EBER-1 and EBER-2. RESULTS: The use of these probes, in conjunction with high temperature microwave denaturation, ensured that the technique was considerably more sensitive than other in situ hybridisation techniques for detecting EBV. Furthermore, the hybridisation signal was morphologically distinct in that only the nucleus and not the nucleolus give a positive signal. No cross-hybridisation was observed with cells infected with other lymphotropic herpes viruses. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity, simplicity, and rapidity of this technique make it ideal for diagnostic use, and for studies investigating the role of this virus in neoplastic disease. ER -