Characterization of the OSSN Microbiome in HIV-1 Infected Patients

Purpose: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a rare cancer previously seen in elderly men. In Botswana there is an increase in OSSN and pterygia among young HIV-1 infected patients. Factors that determine the course of this cancer have not been characterized. Recent studies identified HPV, EBV, KSHV, HSV-1/2, and CMV in patient samples. We now characterize the microbiome associated with the disease that may contribute to its course. Results: Pyrosequencing identified viruses, bacteria, fungus and parasites. Analysis of shotgun cloning sequences showed a majority of infectious agents identified by pyrosequencing. Conclusion: HIV patients with OSSN in Botswana are infected with a range of infectious agents which may represent a unique microbiome. The persistent expressions of gene products by these agents some of which are oncogenic are likely to contribute to the oncogenic process and suggest that treatment modalities of the cancer should involve the screening for endemic agents. Disciplines Cancer Biology | Immune System Diseases This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/botswana_schol/11 www.ccsenet.org/cco Cancer and Clinical Oncology Vol. 1, No. 1; 2012 88 Characterization of the OSSN Microbiome in HIV-1 Infected Patients Kenneth O. Simbiri & Erle S. Robertson 1 University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, USA Correspondence: Erle S. Robertson, PhD, Department of Microbiology, Abramson Cancer Center, Tumor Virology Program, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 202A Johnson Pavilion, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6076, USA. Tel: 215-746-0114. Fax: 215-746-0115. E-mail: [email protected] Received: March 15, 2012 Accepted: March 28, 2012 Online Published: May 1, 2012 doi:10.5539/cco.v1n1p88 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/cco.v1n1p88 This work was supported by the UPENN Center for AIDS Research (P30-A1455008 to JH) and the Botswana UPENN partnership in Gaborone, Botswana; Public Health awards from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (CA137894, CA138434, CA72150, CA91792, CA91792-S1, CA91792-S2, CA108461 to ESR); the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (A167037 to ESR) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE17338 to ESR) Abstract Purpose: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a rare cancer previously seen in elderly men. In Botswana there is an increase in OSSN and pterygia among young HIV-1 infected patients. Factors that determine the course of this cancer have not been characterized. Recent studies identified HPV, EBV, KSHV, HSV-1/2, and CMV in patient samples. We now characterize the microbiome associated with the disease that may contribute to its course. Results: Pyrosequencing identified viruses, bacteria, fungus and parasites. Analysis of shotgun cloning sequences showed a majority of infectious agents identified by pyrosequencing. Conclusion: HIV patients with OSSN in Botswana are infected with a range of infectious agents which may represent a unique microbiome. The persistent expressions of gene products by these agents some of which are oncogenic are likely to contribute to the oncogenic process and suggest that treatment modalities of the cancer should involve the screening for endemic agents.