Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus in paraffin-embedded tissue samples of patients suffering gastric cancer in Ahvaz, Iran: a case-control study

Mehdi  Gharibzadeh; Shahram  Jalilian; Manoochehr  Makvandi; Seyed Saeid  Seyedian; Azarakhsh  Azaran

doi:10.18502/ijm.v16i5.16805

Mehdi Gharibzadeh Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Shahram Jalilian Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Manoochehr Makvandi Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Seyed Saeid Seyedian Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Azarakhsh Azaran Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v16i5.16805

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Gastric ulcer; Epstein-barr virus infection; Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several human tumors. The present research was performed to investigate the prevalence of EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) among Iranian patients.

Materials and Methods: Seventy cases of gastric cancer and 30 cases of gastric ulcer, all preserved in formalin-fixed paraf- fin-embedded (FFPE), were examined in a case-control study conducted between 2011 and 2018. The specimens underwent analysis to detect the presence of the EBV genome using a Nested-PCR method targeting EBNA1. Subsequently, samples testing positive for the EBNA1 underwent further testing for the presence of the EBER gene using PCR. Finally, Positive samples were subjected to sequencing.

Results: Five out of 70 cases (7%) were found to be positive for EBV based on EBNA1 testing, while all EBNA1 positive samples were negative for EBER. Notably, EBV was not detected in patients with gastric ulcer. The mean age of EBV-posi- tive gastric carcinomas pateints was 64.5 years. Within this group, 60% were male and 40% were female. A higher prevalence of EBV association was observed in diffuse-type cases, with 60% (3 out of 24) testing positive, compared to intestinal-type cases where 40% (2 out of 46) were EBV-positive. Most cases of EBVaGC belonged to grade Ⅰ.

Conclusion: This research demonstrates a low prevalence of EBVaGC in Iran. Discrepancies in EBVaGC occurrence among countries could be attributed to epidemiological variables and dietary practices. A comprehensive studies will provide signif- icant contributions to understanding of its etiology