Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus infection in vulvar lichen sclerosus.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS).


METHODS
We investigated the presence of HPV and EBV from 34 vulvar biopsies of patients with LS who had had no previous treatment and from 17 normal vulvar brushings used as controls. We used polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA sequences of these viruses. Human papillomavirus and EBV DNA detection was carried out using MY09/MY11 and TC67/TC69 consensus primers, respectively. The amplified polymerase chain reaction products were analyzed by 10% polyacrylamide gel.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 57 years old, with the majority postmenopausal. Human papillomavirus DNA was not found in the LS samples studied, but it was found in 23.2% (4/17) of the controls. However, EBV DNA was found in 26.5% (9/34) of the LS samples analyzed, and it was not found in the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed no relationship between HPV and LS. This result is in accordance with the literature. We have found 26.5% of EBV in our samples. This is a preliminary study, and the follow-up of these patients will elucidate whether EBV could play a role in cases of LS.
Aidé
Susana
S
Vulvar Pathology Unit, Institute of Gynecology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. suaide@oi.com.br
Lattario
Fernanda Ribeiro
FR
Almeida
Gutemberg
G
do Val
Isabel Chulvis
IC
da Costa Carvalho
Maria
M
D001706:Biopsy; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014844:Vulva / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000821:virology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral