Parvovirus B19 is associated with benign testes as well as testicular germcell tumours

Aims-Parvovirus B19 has been demonstrated in testes of patients with germ c ell tumours but not in controls, raising the possibility that the virus has an aetiological role in these tumours. The aims of this study were to inve stigate the association of the virus with germ cell tumours and to localise the virus histologically. Methods-DNA was extracted from paraffin wax embedded sections of testes fro m 10 seminomas, eight teratomas, two mixed seminoma/teratomas, and 10 teste s showing benign histology. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification o f three regions within the NS and VP1/2 genes was carried out in duplicate on all samples. One PCR positive case (seminoma/teratoma) was examined by m icrodissection of histologically defined tissue components followed by PCR amplification of parvoviral sequences. Samples from PCR positive patients w ere immunostained using a B19 specific monoclonal antibody. Results-Seven cases were PCR positive, these comprised two of 10 seminomas, one of two mixed tumours, none of eight teratomas, and four of 10 benign c ontrols. PCR analysis of the material microdissected from the seminoma/tera toma showed the presence of the virus in regions of seminoma, teratoma, int ratubular germ cell neoplasia, normal tubules, and connective tissue. All p atient samples studied immunohistochemically were negative. Conclusions-This confirms the presence of parvovirus B19 in a proportion of germ cell tumours; however, in one patient, the virus was widespread in th e tissue components and not confined to tumour cells. In addition, the viru s was present in control benign testes. These data suggest that B19 might n ot be of aetiological importance in germ cell tumours of testis.