[Infections by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus]

Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Lung Cancer: Insights and Perspectives

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Tobacco smoke is the most frequent risk factor etiologically associated with LC, although exposures to other environmental factors such as arsenic, radon or asbestos are also involved. Additionally, the involvement of some viral infections such as high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus (JSRV), John Cunningham Virus (JCV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been suggested in LC, though an etiological relationship has not yet been established. EBV is a ubiquitous gamma herpesvirus causing persistent infections and some lymphoid and epithelial tumors. Since EBV is heterogeneously detected in LCs from different parts of the world, in this review we address the epidemiological and experimental evidence of a potential role of EBV. Considering this evidence, we propose mechanisms potentially involved in EBV-associated lung carcinogenesis. Additional studies are warranted to dissect the role of EBV in this very frequent malignancy.

Retinal vasculitis associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection in a young immunocompetent patient. First Colombian case report

Introduction: Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) infection is usually asymptomatic and persists throughout life. Eye involvement is rare, and even though there are some case reports, none of them comes from Colombia or Latin America.Case presentation: Immunocompetent young man with generalized unilateral retinal vasculitis, temporal and inferonasal bloodless vessels in the periphery, intraretinal hemorrhages, intense vitritis and retinal detachment. Epstein-Barr virus presence was determined using a polymerase chain reaction technique in vitreous humor. The patient recovered visual acuity with conventional antiviral oral treatment.Discussion: Eye involvement associated with Epstein-Barr virus is observed in immunocom­promised patients, especially with HIV infection, where retinal involvement may occur. This case reports the presence of this pathology in an immunocompetent patient.Conclusions: Retinal vasculitis is a rare entity, frequently associated with immunocompromise. There is no diagnostic algorithm for this disease and eye involvement may be variable; there are no standard lines of treatment either. The evidence reported here explains the need for studies in selected patients showing visual acuity involve­ment without an established etiology.