Investigation of Parvovirus B19, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2, Human Papillomavirus Types 16 and 18 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Viral infections are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of human malignancies. Several studies have suggested the role of viral infections in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the results are still conflicting, and the potential role of viruses in PTC tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the presence of parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 in PTC.

In this cross-sectional study, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 40 patients with PTC were used. Tissue blocks were studied for the presence of the virus genome using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Of the 40 patients with PTC, there was 1 positive case of HPV (2.5%), while 6 cases were positive for parvovirus B19. HSV and CMV DNAs were not detected in any cases.

Correlations among HSV, CMV, and PTC are unexpected in our patient population. But parvovirus B19 and, to a lesser extent, HPV DNA genomes were detected in PTC using real-time PCR.