Association of Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels with precancerous gastric lesions in a high-risk cohort

We evaluated associations between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels and precancerous gastric lesions (chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia) in 183 subjects from Linqu, China. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) were determined by two-fold serial dilution using immunofluorescence assays. Histological progression and regression were assessed by gastroscopic examination at the time of phlebotomy and at follow up 2 years later. Antibody titers did not differ significantly among histological diagnoses determined at the time of phlebotomy. However, subjects with dysplasia at follow up had significantly higher geometric mean antibody titers for both anti-VCA and anti-EBNA. Subjects with greater than median antibody levels were more likely to progress between examinations, especially in the subgroup with intestinal metaplasia at the time of phlebotomy (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 5.7 [1.6-20] for anti-EBNA >= 1:320; 3.8 [1.0-15] for anti-VCA >= 1:640). Our findings suggest a possible role for EBV reactivation at an early phase of gastric carcinogenesis.