Investigating the Relationship Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

Parvovirus B19 is a common virus that can affect everyone, especially immunocompromised patients. The virus is present in various leukemias and solid tumors, and several B19-related diseases including autoimmune disorders, hepatitis, vasculitis, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and some thyroid cancers have been described.

This investigation aimed to quantify the frequency of human Parvovirus-B19 infection in salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant.

In this cross-sectional study, 71 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens associated with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, along with tissues from 30 normal salivary glands from the maxillofacial pathology laboratory of Shiraz Dental School, Chamran, and Rajai teaching hospitals (the main two major referral centers), were examined using nested-PCR to determine if B19 DNA was present. All data, including age, sex, location, and the presence of the virus, were considered, presented in tables, and statistically analyzed. The prevalence of B19 was compared to the normal salivary gland group.

B19 DNA was identified in 11 specimens (15.5%) out of the 71 available specimens from the patient group. None of the specimens from the normal salivary gland group tested positive for B19 DNA. Consequently, the prevalence of B19 in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the normal salivary gland group (p Value = 0.031). There was no significant relationship between age, sex, location, type of tumor, and the presence of B19 infection.

Our results indicated a relationship between the presence of B19 parvovirus in the patient group compared to that in the control groups. Based on our study's findings, it can be assumed that B19 virus is likely to be presenting in both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.