Prevalence of Viruses in Odontogenic Cysts and Tumours: A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis

Authors

Deepak Pandiar, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IndiaFollow
Divya Gopinath, Basic Medical and Dental Sciences Dept, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates AND Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Pinky Pavithran, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
Reshma Poothakulath Krishnan, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
Jishnu Krishna Kumar, Department of Public Health & Preventive Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
Sajesh K. Veettil, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

This review aimed to assess the prevalence of oncogenic and non-oncogenic viruses in odontogenic cysts and tumours. A comprehensive database search was performed for published articles regarding the presence of viruses in all odontogenic cysts and tumours, following guidelines without date constraints, and was registered with PROSPERO. After screening 164 articles, 24 studies were included for systematic evaluation. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), revealing an overall pooled prevalence of HPV in ameloblastomas of 18.21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.36–33.73) while the prevalence of HPV in odontogenic cysts was found to be 1.51% (95% CI: 0.00–9.46). The prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in odontogenic tumours was 17.19% (95% CI: 4.62–34.49). Other viruses yielded varied results. Human carcinogenesis has previously been positively correlated with viruses; however, this systematic review’s results indicate a very low prevalence in odontogenic pathoses and suggest a limited role in their aetiology.

Publication Date

5-16-2025

First Page

370

Last Page

381

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Pandiar, Deepak; Gopinath, Divya; Pavithran, Pinky; Krishnan, Reshma Poothakulath; Kumar, Jishnu Krishna; and Veettil, Sajesh K. (2025) "Prevalence of Viruses in Odontogenic Cysts and Tumours: A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal: Vol. 25: 370-381.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2847