Detection of human cytomegalovirus in Iraqi colorectal cancer patients

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-herpesvirus that causes persistent infection in humans and can cause severe disease in fetuses and immune compromised individuals. Although, it was hypothesized that HCMV might be associated with colorectal cancer progression. However, the role of HCMV infection in colorectal cancer remains controversial.
Objectives: Detection of cytomegaloviral DNA in cells of colorectal cancer among Iraqi patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Patients and methods: Sixty patients who had colorectal cancer as confirmed by  histopathological examination of tissue specimens from the affected lesion. The patient's ages were ranged between 21-81 years, 12 (34.3%) were females and 23(65.7%) were males. Additionally, fifty apparently healthy individuals who had no history of malignant diseases were enrolled as a control group. 22 (44%) were females and 28 (56%) were males with age range between 20-70 years. Detection of anti HCMV IgG and IgM using the Bio ELISA Kits (Biokit S.A. Spain). Cancerous tissue biopsies were obtained during endoscopy and were submitted for DNA extraction and processed for PCR technique. Human privacy was respected by taking subjects consent as part of study design.
Results:  The results showed that 35(58.3 %) out of 60 patients were positive for anti- HCMV IgG, while all of them were negative for anti-HCMV IgM. All the 35 (100%) patients who were positive for anti-CMV IgG were also positive for CMV genomic DNA, as demonstrated by the presence of specific bands.
Conclusion: These findings point out to the role of HCMV in the development and or progression of colorectal cancer among Iraqi patients.