A specific type of Epstein-Barr virus associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The relative levels and type of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) present in paraffin-embedded biopsies from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and controls were determined using the polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated a high level of EBV in NPC biopsies compared to biopsies obtained from control patients with normal histology. A-type EBV was found to be the predominant virus type present in both the biopsies and in oropharyngeal secretions of NPC patients. In contrast, both A- and B-type EBV were found in biopsies and oropharyngeal secretions from control patients and healthy individuals. The results indicate that A-type EBV may be intimately involved in the genesis of NPC and that the measurement of the level and type of EBV present in biopsies and oropharyngeal secretions from NPC patients may be a useful prognostic marker.