Detection of human cytomegalovirus genome in malignant gliomas by in situ hybridization technique

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus ( HCMV ), lies dormant in the glial cells , and can be reactivated under conditions of inflammation and immunosuppression. In vitro, the virus can transform cells and dysregulate many cellular pathways involved in oncogenesis. This study was conducted to detect HCMV matrix-protein mRNA using In Situ Hybridization technique in glial brain tumor tissues compared to normal brain tissues and the presence of cytomegalic inclusion bodies in brain tumor tissues. Patients and Method: Thirty eight of glial tumor specimens were obtained in paraffin blocks compared to eight normal brain autopsy specimens which were age and sex matched with the study group as a control group. ISH was conducted tissue sections using a biotinylated Long DNA Probe for CMV Matrix Protein together with in-situ hybridization (ISH) detection kit. Results: The biotinylated probe specific for mRNA encoded HCMV – Matrix Protein showed hybridization with viral nucleic acids in 34 cases(out of 38)of malignant glial tumor specimens representing (73.9% ) of the total study groups . All cases with high grades astrocytoma revealed a positive hybridization in a percentage of 32.6% from 15 cases with grade III, and 10 ( 21.7% ) cases with grade IV astrocytoma. Nine out of 38 cases with grade III astrocytoma representing (23.7%), 7 (18.4 %) cases with glioblastoma multiforme and 2 oligodendroglioma cases(5.3 %), revealed inclusion bodies on histological examination. Conclusions: HCMV may play a role in the glioma pathogenesis. In Situ Hybridization test proved to be a very sensitive and specific technique for the detection of HCMV mRNA in tissues. Epidemiological, histopathological identification of cytomegalic inclusion bodies , and molecular studies are necessary to confirm the association of HCMV related human cancers in general Iraqi population

Detection of Human papillomavirus in surface epithelial ovarian carcinoma using in situ hybridization technique

Background: The role of Human papillomaviruses (HPV) in the etiology of ovarian cancer remains unclear and the results are controversial. Several studies have verified the presence of HPV DNA in both malignant and benign ovarian tumors. Objectives: Determine the percentage of detection of HPV high (16&18) and low risk types (6&11) in surface epithelial ovarian carcinoma compared to benign and control groups. Materials And Methods: Molecular detection and genotyping of HPV DNA were performed in 76 ovarian tissue blocks by using in situ hybridization (ISH) technique for detecting and localization of high risk HPV (16 and 18) and low risk HPV (6&11) types. Results: The presence of ISH signals for HPV DNA in benign group (71%) was higher than that found in malignant group (64%). HPV 16 was the most predominant type followed by HPV18, 6, and 11 respectively in both malignant and benign groups. High risk HPV were presented with low score and high intensity in both malignant and benign tumors. Low risk HPV types were detected in high score and intensity in benign tumors which significantly differed from that with malignant tumors, which revealed low score and low intensity. The percentage of co-infection of low risk HPV6&11 in benign group was higher (16.9%) than malignant group (7.1%). Only significant difference was found in combination of both high and low risk HPV types. Conclusions: This finding reflects a possible role of HPV virus in the carcinogenesis of ovarian tumors. HPV infection may play a relative role in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinomas or it could facilitate its progression