Detection of human cytomegalovirus in normal and neoplastic breast epithelium.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes a persistent life-long infection, and can cause severe pathology in the fetus and the immunocompromised host1. Breast milk is the primary route of transmission in humans worldwide, and breast epithelium is thus a likely site of persistent infection and/or reactivation, though this phenomenon has not previously been demonstrated. Increasing evidence indicates HCMV infection can modulate signaling pathways associated with oncogenesis. We hypothesized that persistent HCMV infection occurs in normal adult breast epithelium and that persistent viral expression might be associated with normal and neoplastic ductal epithelium.

Methods

Surgical biopsy specimens of normal breast (n = 38) breast carcinoma (n = 39) and paired normal

SUBMITTER: Harkins LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3063230 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature