An immunocytochemical study of herpes simplex virus-type II expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of prostate

Park, Hi Cheol; Cho, Jae Heung

Abstract

A laboratory based study was performed to survey possible etiological relationship of herpes virus type II in carcinoma of the prostate. A total of 33 patients (20 with prostatic carcinoma and 13 with benign prostatic hyperplasia as control) who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate was studied. Paraffin embedded prostatic tissue materials were examined by immunocytochemical stain for herpes simplex virus-type II And the grade. stage of tumor and age of patient were recorded for the comparison with herpes simplex virus-type II expression. The results were as follows: 1. The average age of patient with prostatic cancer was 71.6 years +/- 5.2 years (mean+/-S.D.) and of patient with BPH was 67.7 years +/- 6.7 years (mean+/-S.D.). 2. Of the 20 blocks of prostatic carcinoma, 19 cases (95%) showed positive reaction and of the 13 blocks of benign prostatic hyperplasia, only 1 case (7.7%) demonstrated positive reaction to immunocytochemical stain for herpes simplex virus-type II . Antibody prevalence between prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia group were significantly different (p<0.005). 3. The incidence of herpes simplex virus-type E antigen did not increase in proportion to grade and stage of prostatic carcinoma. From the above results, it is suggested that the demonstration of specific herpes virus type II antigen in patients with prostatic cancer supports an possible etiologic roles of herpes virus type II But epidemiological studies are recommended to define definite etiologic roles of herpes simplex type II virus in prostatic carcinoma.