Peculiarities of humoral immunity against Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori of gastric mucosa in patients with stomach dysplasia and cancer

Abstract

High prevalence of infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) andpotentially oncogenic Helicobacter pylori requires understanding their role in pre-cancerous and cancerous processes. We studied peculiarities of humoral immunity against Epstein-Barr virus and the severity of viral infestation in patients with stomach dysplasia, cancer and concomitant infection of gastric mucosa with H.pylori. It was shown that the development of dysplastic changes in the infected mucosa is most frequently associated with high titers of IgG and IgA to capsid antigen and early EBV antigens which suggests their cooperation in the development ofprecancerous disorders. The character of antiviral humoral reactions in cancer patients depends on viral infestation of the neoplastic tissue. ECB and H.pylori infections are mutually exclusive in such patients. The absence of H.pylori is associated with the high level of antiviral humoral reactions and high infestation of the neoplastic tissue with EBV whereas low levels of antiviral humoral reactions occur in patients with H.pylori infection.