Environmental Factors for Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in a High-Risk Area of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Background Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation from latent to lytic infection has been considered as a key step in nasopharyngeal carcinoma oncogenesis. However, epidemiological evidence regarding environmental risk factors for EBV reactivation on a population level remains largely lacking. Methods We enrolled 1,916 randomly selected adults from the general population of Guangdong and Guangxi, China, from 2010 to 2014. Information on environmental factors was collected via a structured interview. Serum IgA antibodies against EBV viral capsid antigen and nuclear antigen 1 were measured by ELISA to evaluate EBV reactivation status. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of EBV reactivation with various environmental factors. Results No associations were observed between EBV reactivation and extensive environmental factors, including alcohol or tea drinking, a history of chronic ear/nose/throat diseases, use of medications or herbs, consumption of salted fish or preserved foods, oral hygiene, sibship structure, and various residential and occupational exposures. Only cigarette smoking was associated with EBV reactivation (current smokers vs. never smokers, OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02-1.83), with positive exposure-response trends with increasing intensity, duration, and pack-years of smoking. Conclusions Consistent with previous studies, we found an association between cigarette smoking and EBV reactivation. Other examined exposures were not associated with EBV reactivation. These null results could suggest either more complex interactions between exposures and EBV reactivation or a predominant role of host and/or viral genetic variation.

Cigarette smoking is associated with Herpesviruses in persons with and without serious mental illness

“…EBV has been linked to a number of disorders. For example, both EBV replication and cigarette smoking have been shown to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurring largely in China [ 16 ]. EBV has also recently been associated with autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis [ 17 ].…”

Saliva biopsy: Detecting the difference of EBV DNA methylation in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…One was a population‐based case‐control cohort (defined as cohort1), and the other was a hospital‐based case‐control cohort (defined as cohort2). Saliva of the cohort1 was from a collaborative study of NPC entitled “NPC genes, Environment, and EBV.” Details of the study were described previously 32,33 . Participants including 2554 NPC patients and 2648 controls were from 13 cities/counties in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous region in southern China between 2010 and 2014.…”

“…Details of the study were described previously. 32,33 Participants including 2554 NPC patients and 2648 controls were from 13 cities/counties in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous region in southern China between 2010 and 2014. Finally, 2350 (92.0%) and 2505 (94.6%) salivary samples were, respectively, collected from enrolled cases and controls.…”

The role of Epstein–Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Cigarette smoke extract promotes EBV replication and induces the expression of lytic genes in vitro . Epidemiological studies revealed the association of smoking with persistent reactivation of EBV, as reflected by elevated plasma levels of its antibodies, which increase the risk of carcinogenesis ( Xu et al, 2012 ; Chen et al, 2022 ).…”