title: Serological and immunohistological assessment of Epstein-Barr virus infection in Sicilian patients with suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: An evaluation of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was carried out on 18 patients with suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). With one exception, 9 patients, with histologically confirmed NPC, had high levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to EBV-related antigens, VCA and EA. Out of 4 patients, without histologically confirmed NPC and an antibody pattern compatible with the disease, one developed NPC 22 months later. These data confirm the usefulness of serological markers as a diagnostic aid in NPC and indicate that the occurrence of this malignancy might be higher in Sicily than in low-risk zones.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ammatuna
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Thè
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Speciale
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sammartano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arista
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zerillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012802:Sicily; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G