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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Epstein-Barr virus DNA detection in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Yoke-Yeow Yap1, Shahid Hassan, Melissa Chan
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. yyyap@medic.upm.edu.my
Objectives:
This study examines the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Study Design:
Eighty-six postnasal biopsy samples and 71 fine-needle aspirate samples of neck masses were obtained from patients who were clinically suspect for NPC. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, and EBNA1, EBNA2, and LMP genes of EBV were detected by PCR. PCR results were compared with NPC histopathology findings.
Results:
The sensitivity of PCR to detect EBNA1 (97.14%), EBNA2 (88.57%), and LMP (91.43%) genes of EBV in nasopharyngeal biopsy samples were higher than those in fine-needle aspirate samples.
Conclusion:
Detection of EBV by PCR in tissue obtained from nasopharyngeal biopsy and fine-needle aspirate samples of neck masses is a relatively inexpensive, reliable, and accurate method of diagnosing NPC. Detection of EBV genes is on par with histopathological examination (HPE) and superior to fine-needle aspirate cytology.
Significance:
PCR is an ideal tool for suggesting NPC and guiding the diagnostic workup in occult primary tumors, facilitating earlier diagnosis and reducing morbidity and mortality.
