Cureus. 2025 Jun 30;17(6):e87047. doi: 10.7759/cureus.87047. eCollection 2025 Jun.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been identified as potentially oncogenic, and its presence in milk was reported and discussed. However, with respect to breast cancer etiology, the transmission routes for these viruses are not known. In this context, the objective of this study is to assess the presence of MMTV-like virus in breast milk and to explore the associated factors of its presence among healthy lactating women in Morocco.
METHODS: In this prospective study, milk samples were collected from 44 lactating women recruited from the Souissi Maternity Hospital of Rabat in Morocco. MMTV-like DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction amplification using specific primers targeting the env gene.
RESULTS: The prevalence of the MMTV-like virus was 45.5% (20/44). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association with the use of henna. It seems that it increases the risk of the presence of MMTV-like virus in breast milk. The hypothesis could be the possible contamination of henna sold in bulk in local markets by urine and feces of mice during storage.
CONCLUSION: Nevertheless, these results need to be confirmed by multicenter studies to thoroughly investigate the impact of other factors and the potential contamination of henna with the virus through urine and feces of mice during storage.
PMID:40741558 | PMC:PMC12310077 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.87047
