Low Epstein-Barr virus count in sinonasal inverted papilloma

Abstract

Background: Sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) is a benign tumour originating from the sinonasal mucosa showing an extensive growth pattern, a high risk of recurrence and a 5–10% risk to malignify. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic herpesvirus which infects most individuals via the saliva eliciting a latent infection. Previous studies have been reporting variable data on EBV in SIP, and there is no present appreciation regarding the association between these.

Aims/objectives: The aims were to investigate the presence and count of EBV in SIP and map the viral distribution in the epithelium versus the connective tissue.

Material and method: Fifty-three SIP patients were identified in the Pathology Department register at the University Hospital of Umeå. The biopsies were analysed with Epstein-Barr Encoded Region (EBER) in situ hybridization. EBER-positive cells were counted in the epithelium and connective tissue.

Results: We found EBER-stained cells in 30% of the cases, where 19% of these had an abundance of stained cells, and the rest showed a low count.

Conclusions/significance: These findings demonstrate a low EBV count in SIP. EBV is less likely to be a causative agent in the formation of SIP, or its malignant transformation.

Chinese abstract

背景：鼻腔内翻性乳头状瘤（SIP）是一种起源于鼻腔粘膜的良性肿瘤, 具有广泛的生长模式、高复发风险和5-10%的恶性转化风险。Epstain-Barr病毒（EBV）是一种致癌的疱疹病毒, 通过唾液传染给大多数人, 引起潜在感染。先前的研究报告了SIP中EBV的变量数据。目前对这些数据之间的关系还没有认识。

目的：研究SIP中EBV的存在和计数, 并绘制病毒在上皮和结缔组织中的分布图。

材料与方法：在Umeå大学医院病理科登记处确认53例SIP患者。采用EBER原位杂交技术对活检组织进行分析。计数上皮和结缔组织中的EBER阳性细胞。

结果：30%的病例中发现EBER染色细胞, 其中19%的病例染色细胞丰富, 其余病例计数低。

结论/意义：这些发现表明SIP的EBV计数较低。EBV不太可能是SIP形成或恶性转化的诱因。

Keywords:

• Epstein-Barr virus
• sinonasal inverted papilloma
• EBER-ISH

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Professor Michael Haney for text revision, and PhD Anna Lindam for statistical advice.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors are alone responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This investigation was supported by grants from Lion’s Cancer Research Foundation Northern Sweden, Västerbotten County Council, Strategic Funds Clinical Science, Umeå University, Jämtlands Läns cancer och omvårdnadsfond and The Acta Oto-Laryngologica Foundation, Sweden.