Abstract
The link of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) has been established for decades. Although an abnormal high level of EBV sero‐antibody spectrum and cell‐free circulating EBV DNA loads were exhibited in NPC patients, oral EBV DNA loads, which are primarily responsible for the EBV transmission, has not been previously studied in NPC patients. We conducted an epidemiological study to measure the oral EBV loads, viral components, and the relationship with the serum antibody titers in a large case‐control population (968 cases and 1656 controls) and a family‐based population (91 cases and 165 unaffected family members). EBV DNA loads were detected by quantitative PCR approach targeting the BamHI‐W region. Although a large individualized variation existed, we still observed a decreased oral EBV DNA loads in the population of NPC patients compared to that of healthy controls (ORs were 1.00, 0.69, 0.62, 0.33 classified by the quartiles of viral loads, P trend < .001) and family members. In contrast, the elevated levels of oral EBV loads were present in asymptomatic males and elders, suggesting a different important source for EBV transmission. Notably, oral EBV loads were inversely associated with serum antibody titers of VCA‐IgA, EA‐IgA (All P trend < .001) in the cases but not in the controls. Our study provides the first epidemiological data of oral EBV loads and viral components in NPC patients and controls in the highest risk area of Southern China, indicating that NPC status is unlikely to be an important determinant of EBV transmission.
Highlights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous pathogen
We carry on an extensive epidemiological study to address these oral EBV loads-related questions: (1) Is it possible that oral EBV DNA loads of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients exhibit the consistent higher level as sero-a ntibody or circulating EBV loads compared with the normal individuals? (2) What’s the level of oral EBV loads of unaffected first-degree relatives in NPC patients’ family? (3) Are there any fractions difference of oral EBV DNA between NPC patients and controls? In addition, we present the survey of oral EBV loads and its’ relationship with serum antibodies titers of anti-VCA-IgA and EA-IgA in both the case-control and family-based studies
The viruses may replicate in oral epithelial cells and released into saliva, which can lead to the infection of new hosts
Summary
This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (grant number 81325018); The National Key Research and Development Program of China (grant number 2016YFC1302700); The Projects of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 81220108022); and the Guangdong High- level Personnel of Special Support Program (grant number 2014TX01R201); Health and Medical Collaborative Innovation Project of Guangzhou City, China (grant number 201604020003).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
