Detection of human papillomavirus genotypes, herpes simplex, varicella zoster and cytomegalovirus in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Background The role of viruses as a cause of breast cancer (BC) has been significantly investigated in recent years. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been detected in invasive breast carcinomas, while most studies have only focused on the detection of viral DNA, we aimed to examine the prevalence and genotypes of HPV among Iranian BC patients. We also examined the presence of herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex-2 (HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in these samples. Methods We collected and analyzed 70 Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) blocks including 59 BC samples, and 11 benign breast lesions as control from Iranian patients using nested PCR. Real-time PCR utilized as a confirming test to nested PCR findings. Genotyping of HPV positive samples was performed, the samples were also subjected to a multiplex PCR to detect HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and CMV in BC. Results Papillomavirus DNA was present in 7 of 59 BC samples (11.8%); while none was detected in control samples. The most prevalent type was HPV18, followed by HPV 6. All HPV positive patients had high tumor grades (II/ III) with a histologic diagnosis of ductal carcinoma. The patient age range was 33 to 73 years with a median of 51 years. Most of HPV positive patients had low levels of education. HPV16 was not detected. Also, 5 of 59 BC specimens (8.47%), were positive for HSV-1. But none of the samples were positive for HSV-2, VZV, and CMV. Conclusions Our results suggest a carcinogenesis role for High-risk HPV (HPV18) in breast tumors. Our findings of HSV-1 and low-risk HPV (HPV6) in BCs may propose a cancer-causing role for them. Further large-scale studies are warranted to assess the significance of our findings.

Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity and Viral DNA in Breast Tumors Are Associated with Poor Patient Prognosis

“…Studies that detect HCMV proteins in a high proportion of breast tumors also show >90% detection of HCMV DNA in these same tumors [ 19 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], with two studies also detecting mRNA for HCMV IE [ 42 , 43 ]. By contrast, some studies show a 40–80% positivity of HCMV DNA detection [ 19 , 48 , 49 , 50 ], while others report very few or no HCMV DNA-positive breast tumors [ 45 , 47 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. These differences could relate to the variability in serostatus for HCMV in the populations studied, which ranges from 60–100% [ 45 , 52 , 57 , 58 ]; however, in a population that is >90% HCMV seropositive, the detection of HCMV DNA in breast cancerous tissues is found to be as low as <20% [ 45 , 57 ].…”

Catching viral breast cancer

“…This is an indication that MMTV has been involved with humans for millenia. New case control studies have confirmed that the prevalence of human papilloma viruses (HPVs) in breast cancer is significantly higher than in normal and benign breast tissue controls [ 4 , 5 ]. HPVs have been identified in circulating vesicles [ 6 ].…”

Detection of Enterovirus, Herpes Simplex, Varicella Zoster, Epstein‐Barr and Cytomegalovirus in cerebrospinal fluid in meningitis patients in Iran

“…There are a number of tight relationships between different risk factors and central nervous system disorders, but the role of viral infections has drawn much attention 13,20‐22 . As symptoms of this disease are nonspecific, molecular analysis is essential to identify causative agents 23,24 . In this study, the prevalence of Herpesviridae and Picornaviridae was investigated in CSF of patients, suffering from meningitis.…”

“… 13 , 20 , 21 , 22 As symptoms of this disease are nonspecific, molecular analysis is essential to identify causative agents. 23 , 24 In this study, the prevalence of Herpesviridae and Picornaviridae was investigated in CSF of patients, suffering from meningitis.…”