Epstein-Barr virus infection in gliomas - 07/09/19

Doi : 10.1016/j.retram.2019.06.002

S. Limam ^a, N. Missaoui ^b,^c,⁎ , S. Mestiri ^a, M.T. Yacoubi ^a, H. Krifa ^d, B. Selmi ^e, M. Mokni ^a
^a Pathology Department, Farhet Hached University Hospital of Sousse, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia
^b Research Unit UR14ES17, Medicine Faculty, Sousse University, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia
^c Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan University, Tunisia
^d Department of Neurosurgery, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
^e Laboratory of Bioresources, Integrative Biology and Exploiting, Biotechnology Higher Institute, Monastir University, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

^⁎Corresponding author at: Laboratoire d’Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU Farhet Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.Laboratoire d’Anatomie et de Cytologie PathologiquesCHU Farhet HachedSousseTunisia

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Abstract

Purpose of the study

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been involved in the development of some tumors, including Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, its potential role in glioma tumorigenesis remains debated. In this study, we investigated the EBV infection in gliomas from Tunisian patients.

Patients and methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 112 gliomas on archival material. The EBV DNA sequence was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) was detected by immunohistochemistry. In situ hybridization was used to detect EBV encoded small RNA (EBER). Clinicopathological features were recorded. Survival analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-Rank test to compare EBV-positive and EBV-negative patients.

Results

Overall, there were twenty-four EBV-positive gliomas (21.4%). EBV DNA was identified in 24 cases. LMP1 and EBER were detected in four EBV DNA-positive cases. All EBV-positive cases were glioblastomas multiforme (GBM). Median overall survival and recurrence-free survival of EBV-negative patients were better than those of EBV-positive patients (Log Rank p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Altogether, these findings support the occurrence of EBV infection in Tunisian GBM. Furthermore, when compared to EBV-negative tumors, EBV infection seems to be associated with the worst patient prognosis. Advanced molecular studies are recommended to confirm these results and to shed further light on the potential role of EBV in these devastating tumors.

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Keywords : Glioma, Glioblastoma, EBV, Tumorigenesis, Prognosis