Simultaneous occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in periodontal pockets and in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations 2022-03, Vol.26 (3), p.2807-2815
• Main Authors: Jácome-Santos, Humberto, da Silva e Silva, Naira, Resende, Renata Gonçalves, Costa Pinheiro, Helder Henrique, Almeida Machado, Luiz Fernando, de Souza Silva, Guilherme, de Oliveira Costa, Fernando, Brasil-Costa, Igor, Amoras-Alves, Ana Cláudia Braga, Mesquita, Ricardo Alves, de Melo Alves-Junior, Sérgio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentistry; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Humans; Male; Medicine; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - genetics; Original Article; Periodontal Pocket; Quality of Life; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-021-04258-z

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to verify the concordance of EBV-DNA frequency in subgingival sites and in the OSCC. Methods A cross-sectional study with 30 OSCC patients, aged from 44 to 88 years old, was conducted. Samples were collected in subgingival sites and at the OSCC, then submitted to DNA isolation, qPCR, and genotyping. Descriptive statistic was performed to report the frequency of EBV-DNA in all samples, and McNemar test was applied to verify the concordance among the EBV-DNA frequency in both sites. Results The individuals presented 62 years old in average, and the majority were male (66.6%). EBV-DNA was detected in 56.7% OSCC lesions. Among the subgroup of 19 dentate individuals, high concordance (73.7%) in both EBV-DNA detection and the absence in subgingival sites and OSCC was observed, and it was statistically significant ( p