Genotyping of Epstein-Barr Virus in EBV-Positive Burkett’s Lymphoma in Anbar Province (Western of Iraq)

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first identified human virus with a proven association with the pathogenesis of cancer including Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL). Two subtypes of EBV, type A and B have been identified based on divergence in the nuclear protein genes (EBNA) 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the genotype of EBV in BL cases in Anbar province (Western of Iraq).

Materials and Method: This study was conducted at Anbar Medical college-Ramadi city, Iraq and the molecular analyses were carried out at private laboratories in Baghdad city during the period from January 2017 to December 2019. The expression of EBV-to-EBV-encoded small RNA in BL cases was detected by the in situ hybridization technique (EBER- RISH). EBV DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded tumor blocks of BL cases. One-stage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and two-stage (nested) PCR assays were performed with the primers common for both EBV genotypes and the primers specific for EBV types 1 and 2, respectively. PCR reaction was employed for EBV Genotyping using sets of primers flanking the EBNA-2.

Results: EBV genomes were detected in all BL, and EBV type 1 virus (EBV type A) infected the majority of EBV-positive BL cases (85/90) (94.44%), while EBV type two (EBV type B) was detected in five cases only (5.56%).

Conclusion: Predominant of EBV Type 1(EBV type A) in the Iraqi positive BL cases.