African Burkitt’s lymphoma is caused by –
**Core Concept**
African Burkitt's lymphoma is a type of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects children in equatorial Africa. It is a B-cell lymphoma characterized by a rapid growth rate and a high frequency of tumor lysis syndrome.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
African Burkitt's lymphoma is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family. EBV infects B cells, which then undergo malignant transformation. The EBV-encoded oncogene LMP1 (latent membrane protein 1) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of African Burkitt's lymphoma by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and survival.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, not African Burkitt's lymphoma.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma, not African Burkitt's lymphoma.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and certain lymphoproliferative disorders, but not African Burkitt's lymphoma.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
African Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly aggressive malignancy that requires prompt treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Tumor lysis syndrome is a common complication of treatment and can be prevented with allopurinol and hydration.
**Correct Answer:** D. Epstein-Barr virus.