Is the presence of HCMV components in CNS tumors a glioma-specific phenomenon?

Background Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been associated with malignant gliomas. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of HCMV in common non-glial tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) and to determine whether it is a glioma-specific phenomenon. Methods Using HCMV-specific immunohistochemical staining, HCMV proteins IE1–72 and pp65 were examined in 65 meningiomas (benign, atypical and malignant), 45 pituitary adenomas, 20 cavernous hemangiomas, and 30 metastatic carcinomas specimens. HCMV DNA was also measured in these tumor tissues and the peripheral blood from patients using nested PCR. Results In meningioma, IE1–72 was detected in 3.1% (2/65) and pp65 was detected in 4.6% (3/65), whereas no IE1–72 and pp65 were detected in atypical and malignant meningioma. A low level of IE1–72 immunoreactivity 6.7% (2/30) was detected in metastatic carcinoma; pp65 was not detected. No HCMV components were detected in pituitary adenoma and cavernous hemangioma. The results of immunohistochemical staining were confirmed by HCMV-specific PCR. HCMV DNA was not detected in the peripheral blood of the non-glial CNS tumors patients. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the presence of HCMV components is not an entirely glioma-specific phenomenon, and that HCMV is present in a low percentage in some non-glioma CNS tumors. Comparing HCMV-positive non-glial CNS tumors with HCMV-positive gliomas may cast light on the mechanism and role of HCMV in CNS tumors.