Case–control study of Epstein–Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori serology in Latin American patients with gastric disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic tissue damage induced by Helicobacter pylori (HP)-driven inflammation is considered the main risk of gastric carcinoma (GC). Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection has also been associated with GC. In this study, we aim to address the role of EBV in inflammatory GC precursor lesions and its added risk to HP infection. METHODS: Antibodies against EBV, HP and the bacterial virulence factor CagA were measured in sera from 525 Mexican and Paraguayan patients with gastric disease. Gastric samples were characterised according to the updated Sydney classification and associations were estimated between antibody responses and severity of both tissue damage and inflammation. RESULTS: We found significant associations (odd ratios and trends) between EBV and HP copositivity and premalignant lesions and intestinal-type GC. The EBV and HP coinfection was also significantly associated with increased infiltration of immune cells. No association was found between EBV and the less inflammation-driven diffuse-type GC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that EBV co-participates with HP to induce severe inflammation, increasing the risk of progression to intestinal-type GC.