Role of oncogenic viruses in the development ocular surface squamous neoplasia

Purpose: The pathogenesis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia is not fully understood. Therefore, we evaluated the role of oncogenic viruses in the pathogenesis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in Israel. Methods: Patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia were enrolled in this retrospective study. The specimens were taken during 2004–2015 from two big centers: Emek Medical Center, Afula and the Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. All the specimens (totally 26) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for evidence of oncogenic viruses that included Human Papilloma virus, Herpes Simplex virus and Cytomegalovirus infection and 14 samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction. In addition, all the samples were examined for Epstein Barr virus infection by immunohistochemistry and Epstein Barr encoding region test. Results: Twenty-six patients were included with a mean age of 61.81 ± 3.83 years (mean ± SE). Immunohistochemistry staining and Epstein Barr encoding region test did not detect any of the oncogenic viruses in the 26 samples. Human Papilloma virus-16 and -18, and Herpes Simplex virus were detected by polymerase chain reaction in 14.2%, 7% and 7%, respectively. Conclusion: We conclude from our study that oncogenic viruses may play a role in the pathogenesis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in Israel.