Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Papillomavirus Infection in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Correlation Study

This study explores the presence and clinical significance of Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). EBV and HPV are known to contribute to various cancers, but their roles in thyroid cancer development are debated.

Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from PTC patients (n=255) who underwent thyroid surgery between 2020 and 2021 were analyzed for EBV and HPV DNA using PCR-based methods.

Results showed EBV positivity in 45.1% of PTC cases, significantly higher than in benign thyroid tumors (35.2%), while HPV positivity was low (0.7%). EBV positivity was not associated with age, gender, lesion type, lymph node metastasis, or extrathyroidal extension but was significantly higher in PTC cases with concurrent Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The study suggests a notable presence of EBV in PTC, especially in cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but indicates a limited role for HPV in thyroid cancer.

Further research is warranted to understand the specific pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications of EBV and HPV in thyroid cancer.