Genotypic Analysis of Epstein-Barr Virus Isolates Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Northern China

Objectives: To characterize the specific Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) polymorphisms from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and healthy donors in Northern China, and to explore the relationship between the EBV genotypes and NPC. Methods: The genotypes of EBV strains were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: The predominant EBV type was A, C or F in both NPC and healthy individuals. The distributions of the EBV subtypes between NPC and healthy donors were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The frequency of type f strains in NPC was significantly lower in Northern China than in Southern China. Conclusions: No evidence of special EBV genotypes associated with NPC was found, suggesting that EBV strains derived from the NPC patients may reflect geographic distribution rather than being NPC restricted.