In NPC, EBV infection activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, which converts pro-IL-1β and pro-Interleukin-18 (IL-18) to mature IL-1β and IL-18 through Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and a complex of several proteins that recognize the viral DNA in the cytoplasm.17,18 It is unknown whether a similar inflammasome activation mechanism may occur in the gastric epithelium after EBV infection. Here, IL18 is linked to Epstein-Barr virus infection.