Abstract

Background: Oncoviruses such as HPV, KSHV, and EBV have been reported in patients with HIV/AIDS. Exactly how oncovirus-associated cancers rise in AIDS patients is not fully established. We highlight results from anal cancer samples that were screened for certain known oncoviruses in HIV/AIDS patients.

Methods: Tissues were obtained from 14 anal cancer patients. DNA was extracted from the tissues and used in PCR assays to identify the oncoviruses. Immunohistochemical assays were performed on slides using specific antibodies.

Results: Using PCR we detected HPV-16 (P<0.0001), HPV-45 (P<0.0001), HPV-31 (P<0.0001), HPV-33 (P<0.0001), and EBV (P<0.0001) which were statistically significantly different, and KSHV (P=0.090). Utilizing immunohistochemistry, the samples were statistically significantly different in HPV-16 E6 (P<0.0001), HPV-16 E7 (P<0.0001), EBV (P<0.0001), and KSHV (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that oncogenic human papilloma and herpesviruses are present in anal cancer tissues. Their causal role to the cancer may have implications for long-term pathogenesis.

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