Specific infections, infection-related behavior, and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Jun;15(6):1102-8. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-06-0078.

Abstract

Infections were examined as possible risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a population-based case-control study in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Incident cases (n = 694) had no history of HIV infection or transplantation. Controls (n = 694) were randomly selected from electoral rolls and frequency matched to cases by age, sex, and area of residence. A postal questionnaire and telephone interview measured history of specific infections, occupational exposures, and behavioral and other risk factors for infection. Blood samples were tested for antibodies to human T-lymphotrophic virus type I and hepatitis C virus. Logistic regression models included the three matching variables and ethnicity. There was no association between risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and any of the variables analyzed, including sexually transmitted infections, sexual behavior, blood transfusions, influenza, acne, and either occupational or domestic exposure to zoonotic infections. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk was nonsignificantly elevated (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-11.51) for those with a history of injecting drug use. Three cases and two controls (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-7.98) tested positive to hepatitis C virus infection and none tested positive to human T-lymphotrophic virus type I/II infection. This study provides consistent evidence that sexually transmitted infections and zoonoses are not risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Australian Capital Territory / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / blood
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / immunology
  • HTLV-I Infections / transmission
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / epidemiology*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / virology
  • Lyssavirus
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • HTLV-I Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies