skip to main content

EBV Mucocutaneous Ulcer — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardHIV MedicineEBV Mucocutaneous UlcerSCE Infectious Diseases

A 40-year-old man with HIV (CD4 250, VL <50 on ART) presents with a chronic non-healing oral ulcer on the hard palate. Biopsy shows an EBV-positive B-cell lymphoproliferative lesion. It is localised to the oral mucosa with no systemic lymphadenopathy. PET-CT shows no other sites. What is this entity?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) — a localised, indolent, EBV-driven lymphoproliferative disorder that may respond to immunosuppression reduction

EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) is a recently described (WHO 2017 classification) indolent EBV-driven lymphoproliferative disorder that presents as a localised mucosal or cutaneous ulcer without systemic dissemination. It occurs in the setting of immunosuppression (HIV, iatrogenic, age-related). In contrast to DLBCL, EBVMCU has an excellent prognosis and often responds to reduction of immunosuppression alone (ART optimisation in HIV). Conservative management with observation or local therapy is appropriate. Systemic chemotherapy is not indicated.

Reference: WHO 2024 – Haematolymphoid tumour classification; BSH 2023