Polymorphisms in the Nonhomologous End-joining DNA Repair Pathway are Associated with HPV Integration in Cervical Dysplasia.

Unlabelled: Previous evidence indicates that human papillomavirus (HPV) integration status may be associated with cervical cancer development and progression. However, host genetic variation within genes that may play important roles in the viral integration process is understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the association between HPV16 and HPV18 viral integration status and SNPs in nonhomologous-end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway genes on cervical dysplasia.

Evaluation of the Association Between Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection and Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Importance: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of pediatric cancer, and a leading cause of death in children. Understanding the causes of pediatric ALL is necessary to enable early detection and prevention; congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) has recently been identified as a potential moderate-to-strong factor associated with risk for ALL.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of cCMV infection between ALL cases and matched controls.

Declining Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Prevalence in College Freshmen Strengthens the Rationale for a Prophylactic EBV Vaccine.

Background: To better understand the epidemiology of primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and to identify EBV-naïve candidates eligible to receive a prophylactic EBV vaccine, we screened freshmen from the University of Minnesota Class of 2025 for circulating EBV antibody, which is indicative of previous infection. This permitted us to compare their EBV antibody prevalence with that of 4 other freshman classes (Classes of 2010, 2011, 2016, 2021) that have been previously published.

Methods: Freshman students were recruited during screening sessions in the residence halls.

Cancer risk associated with cytomegalovirus infection among solid organ transplant recipients in the United States.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is among the most common viral infections after solid organ transplantation (SOT). Associations of CMV with cancer risk among SOT recipients have been incompletely evaluated.

Methods: The authors used linked data from the US SOT registry and 32 cancer registries.

Rapid antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus correlate with reduced severity of primary infection.

Background: We investigated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody kinetics in university freshmen who developed laboratory-documented primary EBV infection during prospective studies and correlated these kinetics with disease severity.

Methods: EBV-naïve participants had blood collected periodically and sera tested for EBV-specific antibodies with line blot and enzyme immunoassays. The line blot assay contained EBNA-1, p18, p23, BZLF-1, p138, and p54 antigens; the enzyme immunoassay contained viral capsid antigen and EBNA-1.

High prevalence of asymptomatic CMV shedding in healthy children attending the minnesota state fair.

Background: Young children in the household are a known risk factor for maternal CMV infection and consequently, congenital infection in infants. However, little is known about viral shedding in pre-school aged children.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of CMV DNA shedding and CMV antibodies among healthy children and their mothers.

Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic differences in incidence of pediatric embryonal tumors in the United States.

Background: The etiology of childhood cancers and its social patterning remains largely unknown. Accounting for socioeconomic status (SES) when exploring the association between race/ethnicity and cancer incidence is necessary to better understand such etiology. We aimed to investigate differences in the incidence of embryonal tumors (ETs) by SES and race/ethnicity in the United States using population-based registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.