Association between hypertension and Epstein-Barr virus reactivation among the population in a high-risk area for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

• DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199117
• Publication Date: 2023-05-06T16:01:23Z
• Authors: Kena Lin; Zhiwen Zeng; Xueqi Li; Wenjie Chen; Dongfeng Lin; Shanghang Xie; Zhicong Wu; Mengmeng Li; Sumei Cao; Jinlin Du
• Keywords: Herpesvirus 4, Human; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Hypertension; Humans; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Article; 3. Good health

Hypertension may increase the infection risk of multiple viruses. The evidence for the association between hypertension and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation is still largely lacking.The study was based on the baseline information of a population-based prospective cohort from high-risk areas of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Using two EBV reactivation classification criteria, we explored the relationship between hypertension and EBV reactivation through logistic regression models.We included a total of 12,159 subjects. Among them, 3,945 (32.45%) were EBV arbitrary seropositive, and 1,547 (12.72%) were EBV comprehensive seropositive. Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of EBV reactivation, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.17 (95% CI = 1.08-1.27) for EBV arbitrary seropositive subjects and 1.16 (95% CI = 1.03-1.30) for EBV comprehensive seropositive subjects. Two types of antihypertensive drugs were associated with decreased risk of EBV reactivation: β-adrenergic receptor-blocking agents (β-blockers) (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.42-0.61 for EBV arbitrary seropositive subjects; OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.47-0.81 for EBV comprehensive seropositive subjects) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.41-0.88 for EBV arbitrary seropositive subjects; OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.32-0.98 for EBV comprehensive seropositive subjects).Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of EBV reactivation in high-incidence areas of NPC. β-blockers and ACEIs reduce this risk, and thus might be used for NPC prevention in endemic areas.