Human cytomegalovirus is present in the odontogenic epithelium of ameloblastoma

ABSTRACT

Background: The factor behind the activation of the remnant odontogenic tissues and development of odontogenic cysts and tumors is poorly understood.This study aimed to investigate the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in dentigerous cyst (DC), odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), and ameloblastoma (AB).

Methods: The study included 41 samples, which distributed into DC (n=13), OKC (n=12), and AB (n=16). Conventional PCR assay and IHC analysis were used to detect the HCMV-DNA and HCMV glycoprotein B (HCMV-gB) respectively.

Results: HCMV-DNA was detected in 10 samples (62.5%) of AB, four samples (30.8%) of DC, and three samples (25 %) of OKC respectively (χ² test = 1.195, p= 0.247). Meanwhile, HCMV-gB was found in 12 (75%) of AB, in 2 (15.4%) of DC, and absent in OKC (0.0%) (χ² test = 4.122, p= 0.042).

Conclusions: The high prevalence of HCMV inside the odontogenic epithelium of AB could indicate a possible role of the virus in the oncogenesis and/or oncomodulation of the AB. Additionally, we recommend the IHC for the detection of HCMV in the odontogenic tumors like AB.

KEYWORDS:

• HCMV
• cytomegalovirus
• odontogenic tumor
• ameloblastoma
• dentigerous cyst
• keratocyst
• odontogenic

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Huazhong University of Science and Technology for giving the support and the pathology lab of Tongji Hospital for helping in pathological samples retrieving. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contributions

The study design, sample collection and organisation were carried out by MAA, SRV, and ZR. All laboratory work was completed by MAA and AMA. MAA and AMA undertook the statistical analysis. MAA, SRV, and AMA wrote the paper. All authors contributed to the final manuscript.