Gastric Cancer and Associated Pathogens: Is There Any Association in the Moroccan Region?

Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) are three pathogens associated with various human cancers. This study aimed to investigate the role of these pathogens in gastric cancer in a Moroccan population. A retrospective study was conducted with participants attending the Gastroenterology Department of Hassan II University Hospital in Fez. In total, 279 participants were enrolled in this study. Helicobacter pylori, EBV, and HPV were detected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction. Significant associations have been established between H. pylori and EBV and gastric cancer. A total of 93.4% and 43.3% of gastric cancer cases were related to H. pylori and EBV, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Helicobacter pylori-EBV co-infection was responsible for 31.6% of gastric cancer cases (P < 0.01). Correlation between pathogen genotypes and gastric cancer showed that 54.6% of gastric cancer EBV positive cases had a 30 bp deletion in the LMP1 gene, whereas 16% of gastric cancer cases had high-risk HPV genotypes (P = 0.21). These results highlight the possible role of co-infection in gastric cancer development.