Helicobacter pylori co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus and the risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma at an early age: Observational study infectious agents and cancer

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery 2021-08, Vol.68, p.102651-102651, Article 102651
• Main Authors: Rihane, Fatima Ezzahra, Erguibi, Driss, Elyamine, Othmane, Abumsimir, Berjas, Ennaji, Moulay Mustapha, Chehab, Farid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Co-infection; Epstein-barr virus; Experimental Research; Gastric cancer; Helicobacter pylori
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102651

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The onset and progression of gastric cancer are attributed to numerous triggers, these triggers may be infection of the gastric epithelium by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Both agents can establish a lifelong persistent infection in the host, leading to chronic inflammation, which also contributes to cancer development. Objective: The objective of this study is to present the status of co-infection with H. pylori and EBV and the risk of developing adenocarcinoma at an early age in the population of Grand Casablanca. In this study, 100 gastric tissue samples from patients with gastric cancer were examined for detection of H. pylori and EBV in tumor tissue using PCR techniques, and the clinical relevance was statistically analyzed. Results revealed an individual Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection observed in (40 %) of gastric carcinoma cases. Furthermore, the frequency of EBV infection was significantly different with intestinal and diffuse gastric cancer types [15 % vs. 85 %;