Abstract
An association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been established serologically in Italian patients. The finding of IgA antibodies to EBV-capsid antigen (VCA) and to early antigen (EA) showed a high degree of correlation for patients with NPC, thereby confirming previous reports. In addition, when considered together, IgA anti-VCA and IgG anti-EA antibody titres appeared to distinguish NPC-patients from those in control populations. Poorly differentiated and undifferentiated carcinomas with lymphoid cellular infiltrations showed the highest frequency of association with positive EBV serological tests.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
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Antigens, Viral / immunology
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Capsid Proteins*
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Carcinoma / immunology*
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Carcinoma / microbiology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / microbiology
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin A / analysis
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Immunoglobulin A / immunology
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Immunoglobulin G / analysis
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Immunoglobulin G / immunology
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Italy
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Lymphatic Metastasis
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / immunology*
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / microbiology
Substances
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Antibodies, Viral
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Antigens, Viral
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Capsid Proteins
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
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Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen
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Epstein-Barr virus early antigen
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Immunoglobulin A
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Immunoglobulin G