Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, Extranasal and Ulcerative Blister Variant, Case Report

The extranodal natural killer (NK) T-cell lymphoma of nasal type is a form of lymphoma that falls within the WHO/EORTC 2018 classification of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. It is characterized for being aggressive, infrequent, and destroying midline facial structures; however, it can also be in primary or secondary form at extranasal sites, such as the skin or the gastrointestinal tract, among others. We report the case of an 18-year-old patient with an extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma located in an extranasal site. The clinical presentation is characterized for being multifocal and with erythematous-violaceous plaques that progress to hemorrhagic blisters and necrotic ulcers. Although this type of lymphoma has been reported previously by others, the presence of blisters is an atypical finding, which we believe has been described only in one case in the medical literature.

MicroRNAs Encoded by Virus and Small RNAs Encoded by Bacteria Associated with Oncogenic Processes

Cancer is a deadly disease and, globally, represents the second leading cause of death in the world. Although it is a disease where several factors can help its development, virus induced infections have been associated with different types of neoplasms. However, in bacterial infections, their participation is not known for certain. Among the proposed approaches to oncogenesis risks in different infections are microRNAs (miRNAs). These are small molecules composed of RNA with a length of 22 nucleotides capable of regulating gene expression by directing protein complexes that suppress the untranslated region of mRNA. These miRNAs and other recently described, such as small RNAs (sRNAs), are deregulated in the development of cancer, becoming promising biomarkers. Thus, resulting in a study possibility, searching for new tools with diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to multiple oncological diseases, as miRNAs and sRNAs are main players of gene expression and host–infectious agent interaction. Moreover, sRNAs with limited complementarity are similar to eukaryotic miRNAs in their ability to modulate the activity and stability of multiple mRNAs. Here, we will describe the regulatory RNAs from viruses that have been associated with cancer and how sRNAs in bacteria can be related to this disease.

Molecular characterization of Epstein-Barr virus variants detected in the oral cavity of adolescents in Cali, Colombia

Introduction: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an ubiquitous and oncogenic virus associated with the development of diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and other neoplasms. Currently, two types are recognized: EBV-1 and EBV-2, which have genetic differences with their EBNA nuclear antigens. Likewise, due to the high degree of heterogeneity and variability found in the LMP1 protein of the virus, variants associated with pathogenesis or specific geographic regions have been described. Objective: To identify and characterize molecularly EBV variants detected in the oral cavity of 84 adolescents in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: Conventional PCR amplification, purification, and sequencing of the gen EBNA3C were carried out to typify the virus and the C-ter domain of the LMP1 protein to identify variants. We also conducted a phylogenetic and nucleotide variant analysis of the obtained sequences versus pathogenic or geographic variants reported in GenBank-NCBI. Results: The predominant viral subtype was EBV-1 (79%); 72.6% was grouped with the pathogenic variant Raji, derived from B lymphocytes of a patient with Burkitt›s lymphoma, 13.7% was related to a variant of Mediterranean origin, and 13.7% was not grouped with any of the reference variants. Conclusions: This is the first time that variants of LMP1-EBV have been identified in Cali, Colombia. Additional studies are necessary to characterize the unidentified variant and to determine if it is pathogenic or if it is just an isolate present in the city of Cali.

Epstein-Barr virus infection as a predisposing factor for multiple sclerosis. An update from molecular biology, immunology and epidemiology

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus is an infectious agent used to immortalize and induce polyclonal activation of B cells. It has been widely described that this virus produces changes in the cells it infects and in the immune response, and stimulates the development of autoimmune diseases.Objective: To characterize the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis described in current scientific literature.Materials and methods: A 59-years range literature search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Redalyc and SciELO databases using the following MeSH terms: “Epstein-Barr virus, multiple sclerosis autoimmune diseases, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system”.Results: Many studies describe the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis. It is believed that acute infection and viral reactivation promote the development of multiple sclerosis.Conclusions: It is necessary to conduct further research on the pathogenesis and morphophysiological and neuroimmunological changes –at the ecological, molecular, cellular, tissue, organic and systemic level– induced by the immune response and that favor the development of multiple sclerosis.