No evidence of human papillomavirus DNA in breast carcinoma in Tunisian patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of broad range of anogenital HPVs in a series of 123 Tunisian breast carcinoma cases. PCR assays were performed to amplify regions within the L1, E1, E6 and E7 open reading frames of a broad range of anogenital HPVs and specific types HPV16, 18, 31 and 33. In addition, we performed an in situ hybridization analysis using HPV biotinylated DNA probes for the detection of broad spectrum of anogenital HPV types, high-risk HPV types (16 and 18), intermediate-risk HPV types (31 and 33) and low-risk HPV types (6 and 11). None of the 123 breast carcinoma samples showed PCR amplification of HPV DNA using the broad spectrum consensus primer-pairs E1-350L/E1-547R and GP5+/GP6+ primers. Furthermore, neither high risk nor low-risk HPV types were detected in any of these cases. Moreover, using in situ hybridization for the detection of HPVs, we failed to detect a positive signal in neoplastic cells in any case. Our results suggest that anogenital papillomaviruses are unlikely to play a role in the development of breast carcinomas in Tunisian patients.

[Prevalence of high risk oncogen HPV by in situ hybridization and by PCR in condyloma acuminata in the region of the Tunisian Center]. / Prevalence des HPV a haut risque oncogene par hybridation in situ et par PCR dans les condylomes acumines dans la region du Centre Tunisien.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of "high-risk" HPV types in condyloma acuminata in patients from Tunisian Center. Thirty two paraffin-embedded biopsies were analysed for the presence and type of HPV DNA by means of in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. ISH was done using a broad spectrum HPV biotinylated DNA probe for the detection of HPV DNA. HPV typing was carried out using specific probes for HPV types 6/11, 16/18 and 31/33. HPV DNA was amplified by PCR using the degenerate primers E1350L/E1547. HPV were typed by pU-1M/PU-2R primers for the oncogenic HPV types 16, 18, 31 and 33, and PU-31B/PU-2R for "low-risk" group (6 and 11). Using ISH, HPV was detected in 27 out 32 cases (84.4%). All were HPV 6/11 positive. Co-infection with oncogenic HPV was found in one case that reacted with 16/18 and 31/33 probes. Good quality DNA was obtained in 13 cases. HPV was detected by PCR in 11 of 13 specimens (80.6%) when E1350L/E1547 primers were used. HPV 6/11 were present in all cases. The results of this study provide specific confirmation of the predominance of HPV6/11 and low rate of co-infection in patient from Tunisian Center. Because of the difficulty of DNA extraction, risk of DNA degradation and contamination associated with PCR, the ISH remains more adapted to archival materiel especially in routine clinical practice.

[Prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in central region of Tunisia]. / Prévalence du virus d'Epstein-Barr dans les lymphomes non hodgkiniens dans la région du Centre Tunisien.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occuring in non-immunocopromised patients in Tunisia through a series of 126 cases. EBV was investigated by EBER oligonucleotide in situ hybridization (ISH) and LMP1-immunohistochemistry. Serological study of EBV has been performed before therapy in 28 patients. EBV was detected in tumor cells by ISH in 28/126 (22.2%) cases. Variable proportions of tumor cells were positive. LMP1 was identified in only 8 cases. EBV was more frequently observed in T-cell lymphomas (9/24 patients; 37.5%) than in B-cell lymphomas (19/102 patients; 18.6%) (p=0.04). There was a strong relationship between EBV and small intestine lymphomas (6/8 patients; 75%) and T/NK nasal type lymphomas (3/3 patients; 100%). EBV serological reactivation was noted in 7/13 patients in clinical stages III/IV and in only 1/10 patients in stages I/II (p=0.03). In conclusion, the prevalence of EBV in Tunisian non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is low but variable depending on the histological type and anatomical location with a predilection for small intestine and nasal lymphomas.