RESULTS: The isolated sequence is deposited into GenBank under Accession No. MN317561/VNUAGTP1. The phylogenetic tree revealed high similarity of nucleotide and amino acid sequences to references goat pox strains accounting for 99.6 and 99.3, respectively. The Vietnamese strain is clustered together with currently circulating goat pox virus in China, India and Pakistan which suggested the origin of South China.
CONCLUSIONS: This Vietnam isolate is clustered together with other Asian goat pox strains indicating the dissemination of a common goat pox virus within this continent.
STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-six postnasal biopsy samples and 71 fine-needle aspirate samples of neck masses were obtained from patients who were clinically suspect for NPC. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, and EBNA1, EBNA2, and LMP genes of EBV were detected by PCR. PCR results were compared with NPC histopathology findings.
RESULTS: The sensitivity of PCR to detect EBNA1 (97.14%), EBNA2 (88.57%), and LMP (91.43%) genes of EBV in nasopharyngeal biopsy samples were higher than those in fine-needle aspirate samples.
CONCLUSION: Detection of EBV by PCR in tissue obtained from nasopharyngeal biopsy and fine-needle aspirate samples of neck masses is a relatively inexpensive, reliable, and accurate method of diagnosing NPC. Detection of EBV genes is on par with histopathological examination (HPE) and superior to fine-needle aspirate cytology.
SIGNIFICANCE: PCR is an ideal tool for suggesting NPC and guiding the diagnostic workup in occult primary tumors, facilitating earlier diagnosis and reducing morbidity and mortality.