A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Epstein–Barr Virus Serology Associated With Persistent Oral Human Papillomavirus Infections in Men
Authors: Rinne, Sanni; Michels, Birgitta; Butt, Julia; Syrjänen, Kari; Grenman, Seija; Waterboer, Tim; Syrjänen, Stina; Louvanto, Karolina
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine
Journal name in source: Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine
Article number: jop.70015
Volume: 54
Issue: 8
First page : 733
Last page: 741
ISSN: 0904-2512
eISSN: 1600-0714
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.70015
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.70015
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499820144
Background
Most people acquire Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and certain human papillomaviruses (HPVs) during their lifetime. HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinomas have increased in recent decades, particularly among men. The role of coinfection with viruses like EBV on HPV outcomes is unclear. We investigated potential associations between EBV serology and longitudinal outcomes of oral HPV infections in men.
Methods
This study included 119 men from the Finnish Family HPV Study who were followed up for 3 years. Blood and oral cavity samples were collected at baseline, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up visits. HPV was genotyped with the Multimetrix assay, and the serum IgG antibodies of EBV proteins Zebra, EA-D, EBNA, and VCAp18 were measured with fluorescent bead-based multiplex serology. Univariate regression analysis was used to measure the strength of the association between different variables.
Results
Most participants (99.2%; n = 118) were EBV-seropositive with stable antibody titers throughout the follow-up. Self-reported history of atopy was positively associated with elevated EBNA-1 levels, with OR 7.43 (95% CI: 1.39–39.76). EBV seropositivity with high titers and elevated EA-D levels alone increased the risk of type-specific oral HPV persistence for Types 16, 18, 33, and 51, with OR 4.20 (95% CI: 1.09–16.19) and OR 6.23 (95% CI: 1.19–32.75), respectively.
Conclusions
Most of the participants were EBV-seropositive as expected. Elevated EA-D antibody levels and being EBV-seropositive with high titers significantly increased the risk of type-specific oral HPV persistence among these men.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by Päivikki ja Sakari Sohlbergin Säätiö, Research Council of Finland, Suomen Lääketieteen Säätiö, and Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö.