Frequency of Epstein--Barr virus infection as detected by messenger RNA for EBNA 1 in histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma in patients presenting to a tertiary care center in South India.

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma is a relatively uncommon entity detected in approximately 10% of gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma and also to assess the nature of presentation, any significant difference between this subgroup and EBV-negative gastric adenocarcinomas with respect to age and sex predilection, lymph nodal status, site of presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 100 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent either a partial or total gastrectomy during the period from March 2010 to August 2011. The tumour and the corresponding normal gastric tissue from the same patient were analyzed for the presence of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULT

EBV was detected in 6% cases of gastric adenocarcinoma. All the positive patients were males. The majority of cases involved the proximal stomach and there was variable lymph nodal involvement.

CONCLUSION

Our study endorses that there is an association between EBV infection and gastric adenocarcinoma in the Indian population. There was no significant difference between this subgroup and EBV-negative gastric adenocarcinomas with respect to age and sex predilection, lymph nodal status and site of presentation. Short-term follow-up of this subgroup of patients seems to indicate a good overall prognosis after appropriate treatment. However, a larger study with long-term follow-up is needed to further establish the role of EBV in gastric adenocarcinoma in this study population.