Identification of Epstein-Barr virus after topical treatment for oral hairy leukoplakia: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background This study evaluated the presence of Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) DNA in patients living with HIV, before and after three different topical therapy protocols for oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL). Methods The sample consisted of five patients treated with topical solution of 25% podophyllin resin; six with 25% podophyllin resin plus 5% acyclovir cream; and four with 25% podophyllin resin plus 1% penciclovir cream. DNA was extracted from OHL scrapings and amplified by the PCR using specific primers for EBV-1 (EBNA-1). Results Clinical healing of OHL lesions was observed across all treatment groups over time. At baseline, EBNA-1 was detected in all OHL lesions. After treatment, OHL samples from three patients treated with 25% podophyllin resin plus 5% acyclovir cream and from one patient treated with 25% podophyllin resin plus 1% penciclovir cream exhibited negative EBNA-1 viral gene encoding. Despite the clinical resolution of OHL, 11 patients (73.3%) showed EBNA-1 positivity immediately after the lesion disappeared. Three patients (20%) treated with podophyllin resin displayed both EBNA-1 positivity and a recurrence of OHL, in contrast to no recurrence in the other two groups. Conclusions These findings suggest potential associations between treatment formulations, EBNA-1 persistence, and the recurrence of OHL lesions.