Detection of Epstein-Barr virus infections in Egyptian Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma patients

Background: Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is associated with at least 1% of global cancers including nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The EBV DNA importance in the prediction of NPC has received little attention in non-endemic areas. Objective of the current study was to investigate the frequency of EBV in NPC patients compared to control of healthy individuals, and to study the relationship between EBV infection and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics. Methodology: A Case control study was conducted at the Hospital of Mansoura University. Fresh biopsies were collected from NPC patients and healthy controls over 2-years period between 2021 and 2023. After previous DNA extraction, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for EBV detection. Results: The study included a total of 28 patient biopsies proven NPC and 32 control individuals. A significantly higher prevalence of EBV in patients as compared with controls. The presence of the EBV infection was determined in half of the NPC patients and 6.3% of the control group. There was none statistically significant association between the presence of EBV and the clinicopathological features. Conclusion: EBV is prevalent in the NPC cases compared with controls. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to determine the true burden of EBV-associated NPC in Egypt