A MAJORITY OF INVERTED SINONASAL PAPILLOMAS CARRIES EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS GENOMES

Background. The relationship between sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) and various strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) has been examined previously. Yet there is little consensus regarding the incidence or r ole of HPV in IP. The possible role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which , like BPV, is a DNA virus linked to human lymphoid and epithelial mal ignancies, was investigated. Methods. The polymerase chain reaction (P CR) was used to detect EBV genomic sequences in surgical specimens of IP, in benign nasal polyps, and various control tissues. The IP specim ens were similarly examined for the presence of HPV types 6, 11, 16, a nd 18. Results. EBV DNA was found in 13 of 20 IP specimens (65%) and n one of the 10 control tissues. Nine of the 20 specimens contained HPV DNA, and 5 of 20 specimens contained both EBV and HPV. Conclusions. Th ese results imply a previously unsuspected role for Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of sinonasal inverted papilloma.