People whose immune systems are compromised -- as a result of inherited genetic diseases, HIV infection, or administration of immunosuppressive drugs commonly given after an organ transplant -- have a slightly higher than average risk of developing Hodgkin's disease.
Some research has indicated that certain viruses and bacteria may play a role in initiating the disease. In about half of patients with Hodgkin's disease, the tumors can be shown to express proteins associated with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Members of families in which one or more people have been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease also have a slightly higher than average risk of developing the disease.
