Study of EBV and Associated Gastric Malignancies

Abstract

Introduction: Epstein Barr virus (EBV), is a member of the genus Lymphocryptoviridae and Herpesviridae subfamily. It is pervasive and infects more than 90% of the adult population worldwide. In childhood and early adulthood primary infection occurs through salivary contact. The majority of children are asymptomatic, but some adolescents and young adults can develop infectious mononucleosis with harmless clinical manifestations. Objective: To analyze the expression of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Latent membrane protein – 1 (LMP-1) in various histological subtypes of gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Out of the 43cases, 32 cases were proven to be malignant, out of which 30 cases who had adequate clinical data were included in the study. The materials were processed and sections were cut at 5 microns. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of sections was done. Histopathological examination of these sections was done. Result: The most common presenting symptom associated with Gastric carcinoma was upper abdominal pain (epigastric pain). Both the LMP-1 IHC positive cases showed a  low score when assessed using the LMP-1 immunohistochemistry scoring system (used in nasopharyngeal carcinomas). This may be due to the older age group of patients. For the effective control of viral cancer, there should be rapid, sensitive, specific, cost-effective diagnostics assays and management. Conclusion: Hence our study justifies the role of EBV in the oncogenesis of gastric carcinoma. More elaborate and extensive studies are warranted to further emphasize this theory.