Lack of Epstein-Barr virus infection in cervical carcinomas

Context.-The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous microorganism strongl y associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and a large number of human neoplasms, mainly undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt ly mphoma. The viral DNA has been detected in other tumors, such as carcinomas from tonsil, salivary glands, and thymus, and malignancies of the female g enital tract. Some authors have proposed that EBV could play a role in the carcinogenesis of cervical tumors; however, other studies do not support th is hypothesis. Objective.-To assess whether EBV is associated with female genital tract ne oplasms. Design.-Sixty-five biopsy specimens (5 in situ carcinomas, 24 invasive squa mous cell carcinomas, 6 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas, and 30 endocervi cal adenocarcinomas) were used to perform EBV detection through RNA in situ hybridization. Results.-None of the cervical carcinoma cases studied was positive for EBV infection. Conclusions.-The results suggest that it is still premature to incriminate EBV in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma.