Umeå University's logo

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common disease in which inflammatory responses to exogenic stressors, such as viral infections, has been recognised. The role of viruses in CRSwNP pathogenesis is unclear.

Aims/objectives: We aimed to characterise Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and human adenovirus (HAdV) in nasal polyps and adjacent paired healthy turbinate mucosa.

Materials and methods: We used real-time PCR for EBV, HCMV, and HAdV DNA detection, combined PCR/microarrays for HPV detection and genotyping, in samples from 45 patients with CRSwNP. Additionally, we used EBER in situ hybridisation for EBV detection.

Results: EBV detection with EBER-ISH was significantly higher in polyps (36%) versus turbinate mucosa (12%). None of the viral comparisons with PCR between polyps and turbinate mucosa for EBV-, HCMV- or HAdV-DNA showed statistically significant differences. All samples were HPV negative.

Conclusions and significance: We report higher expression of EBV in nasal polyps (36%) than in adjacent healthy turbinate mucosa (12%), using a valid method; EBER-ISH in 45 patients with CRSwNP. EBV might be a possible stressor that can trigger polypoid inflammation.