Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus DNA in samples from healthy Sardinian patients: a preliminary study

Electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive detection of human papillomaviruse type 16 L1 protein based on Ag@AuNPs-GO/SPA

Human papillomaviruse type 16 (HPV16) is a high-risk serotype. As the main protective antigen protein, L1 protein is also the target protein for diagnosis. A simple label free electrochemical immunosensor (ECIS) was fabricated for ultrasensitive detection of HPV16 L1 protein in this work. Quasi-spherical Ag@Au core-shell nanoparticles on graphene oxide (Ag@AuNPs-GO) was developed as current response amplifier and characterized by UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Staphylococcal protein A was decorated on the modified electrode and utilized to immobilized the Fc portion of the monoclonal antibody specific for HPV16 L1 protein. Cyclic Voltammetry, Differential Pulse Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy were used to verify the electrochemical performance and interfacial kinetic property. The increased concentration of HPV16 L1 protein led to slow electron transport and linearly decreased differential pulse voltammetry peak current with a detection limit of 0.002 ng mL^-1 and a wide linear relationship in the range of 0.005-400 ng mL^-1at a regression coefficient (R²) of 0.9948. Furthermore, this ECIS demonstrated acceptable accuracy with good reproducibility, stability and selectivity, suggesting a promising immunological strategy for HPV typing and early screening.

Competitive Ability Effects of Datura stramonium L. and Xanthium strumarium L. on the Development of Maize (Zea mays) Seeds

The objective of this study was to explore the physical properties of maize seeds in competition with weeds. The basic and complex geometric characteristics of seeds from maize plants, competing with Datura stramonium L. (DS) or Xanthium strumarium (XS) at different weed densities, were studied. It was found that the basic and complex geometric characteristics of maize seeds, such as dimension, aspect ratio, equivalent diameter, sphericity, surface area and volume, were significantly affected by weed competition. The increase in weed density from 0 to 8 plants m² resulted in an increase in the angle of repose from 27° to 29°, while increasing weed density from 8 to 16 plants m² caused a diminution of the angle of repose down to 28°. Increasing the density of XS and DS to 16 plants m² caused a reduction in the maximum 1000 seed weight of maize by 40.3% and 37.4%, respectively. These weed side effects must be considered in the design of industrial equipment for seed cleaning, grading and separation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to consider the effects of weed competition on maize traits, which are important in industrial processing such as seed aeration, sifting and drying.

Oral Human Papillomavirus: a multisite infection

Background

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has different strategies for persist in the cells. This characteristic has led us to consider the presence of the virus in tissues of the oral cavity that had no clinical signs of infection. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of DNA-HPV at multiple sites of the oral cavity.

Material and Methods

A case-control study was designed: Oral Squamous Carcinoma Group (OSCG), healthy n=72 and Control Group (CG), n=72, healthy volunteers paired by sex and age with OSCG. Four samples were taken from OSCG: saliva, biopsy, brush scraping of lesion and contralateral healthy side. In CG a saliva sample and a scratch of the posterior border of tongue were collected. HPV was detected by PCR using Bioneer Accuprep genomic DNA Extraction kit, and consensus primers MY09 and MY11. Chi square test was applied.

Results

432 samples were obtained from 144 individuals. DNA-HPV was detected in 30 (42%) of OSCG subjects and 3(4%) of CG. Two or more positive samples were obtained in 67% of the OSCG, 67% in saliva and 60% in biopsy; in CG 100% of the individuals were positive in the two samples.

Conclusions

HPV is frequently present in oral cavity as a multifocal infection, even without the presence of clinical lesions.

Key words:HPV, Oral cavity, Saliva, Oral cancer.

Identification of human papillomavirus type 16 variants circulating in the Calabria region by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of HPV16 from cervical smears

Sequence analysis of HPV16 isolates reveals the presence of genome variants with characteristic mutations. The HPV16 variants have different geographical distribution and diverge into four phylogenetic lineages (A, B, C and D) and 16 sub-lineages: A1, A2, A3 (previously known as European variants), A4 (Asian variant), B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, C3, and C4 (African variants), D1 (North-American variant), D2, D3 (Asian-American variants) and D4. Population studies showed that infections with viruses belonging to specific HPV16 sublineages confer different risks of viral persistence and cancer. In this study, 39 HPV16-positive cervical smears from European women living in Calabria (Italy) were analyzed for the presence of HPV16 variants. Cervical DNA extracts were processed by PCR to amplify L1, the Long Control Region (LCR), E6 and E7, which were sequenced. The sequences were concatenated and the 3169 nucleotides long fragments were characterized by BLAST and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 96 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) were detected, 29 of which mapping in the L1, 45 in the LCR, 15 in the E6 and 7 in the E7. The most common SNP was the T350G (29/39 samples, 74.4%), causing the L83 V amino acid change in the E6. Most of the HPV16 isolates (89.7%) had 99% of nucleotide (nt) identity to members of the A1 and A2 sublineages, while 4 isolates had 99% nt identity to members of the B2, B4, C1 and D4 sublineages. In conclusion, viruses belonging to the A1, A2, B2, B4, C1 and D4 HPV16 sublineages were found to circulate in the Calabria region.

The epidemiology of oral human papillomavirus infection in healthy populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a potentially oncogenic sexually transmitted infection. As the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) caused by oral HPV infections is rising, further investigation into the natural history of such infections is needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize data on the prevalence, incidence, clearance, and persistence of oral HPV infections in healthy individuals. A systematic review of literature published between January 1995 and August 2017 was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis of prevalence and incidence data was conducted. Clearance and persistence data were extracted. Sixty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated an overall prevalence of 7.7% for all types of HPV and 1.4% for high-risk HPV16. The overall incidence was 4.38 cases per 1000 person-months for all HPV types and 0.92 cases per 1000 person-months for HPV16. This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that oral HPV infection has a lower prevalence and incidence than cervicogenital HPV infection in healthy individuals. Nonetheless, oral HPV is still an important concern, given its oncogenicity and the rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer. Consistency of methodology will allow for better future comparisons, particularly of infection clearance and persistence.

Design of FRET Probes for SNP RS1006737, Related to Mood Disorder

Background:

Several studies have shown that the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in the CACAN1C gene, rs1006737, is related to different mood disorder illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Current day molecular procedures for allele detection of this gene can be very expensive and time consuming. Hence, a sensitive and specific molecular procedure for detecting these mutations in a large number of subjects is desirable, especially for research groups who have no complex laboratory equipment.

Objective:

The possibility of using a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) probe was evaluated by means of bioinformatic tools, designed for forecasting the molecular behavior of DNA probes used in the research field or for laboratory analysis methods.

Method:

In this study we used the DINAMelt Web Server to predict the Tms of FRET oligo in the presence of the A and/or G allele in rs1006737. The PCR primers were designed by using oligo 4 and oligo 6 primer analysis software,

Results:

The molecular probe described in this study detected a Tm difference of 5-6°C between alleles A and G in rs1006737, which also showed good discrimination for a heterozygous profile for this genomic region.

Conclusion:

Although in silico studies represent a relatively new avenue of inquiry, they have now started to be used to predict how a molecular probe interacts with its biological target, reducing the time and costs of molecular test tuning. The results of this study seem promising for further laboratory tests on allele detection in rs1006737 region.

Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) in the adult population of Córdoba, Argentina

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) in the population of Córdoba, Argentina and its association with other risk factors.

Methods:

A sample of 401 volunteers over 18 years, representative of Cordoba city population, was selected. Using a questionnaire, we collected sociodemographic data including the use of tobacco, alcohol, and mate consumption. Two biological samples were taken from each individual, whole mouth saliva and a scraping of the posterior border of the tongue. HPV was determined by polymerase chain reaction using MY09/11 primers. Statistical associations were analyzed using χ2 test.

Results:

Prevalence of HPV in the population was of 3% (13/401). The mean age of HPV-positive cases was 42 years with a range of 20–85; 54% were females. Among the 13 cases whose saliva was positive for HPV, only 7 (54%) had HPV-DNA in the tongue scraping. All identified genotypes were of low risk and HPV11 was the most frequent type in 62% of positive cases. None of the positive subjects exhibited oral lesions compatible with HPV infection. Ten (77%) of the HPV-positive subjects exhibited lesions in the oral mucosa, mostly related to chronic mechanical irritation (CMI) (odds ratio 3, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–8.97, p < 0.05). Fifty-four percent of HPV-positive individuals were light smokers and consumed alcohol moderately. The combination of both habits was observed in 31%. Sixty-two percent drank mate at high water temperatures. No differences were detected in the sexual behavior or in the reported number of sexual partners between HPV-positive and -negative subjects.

Conclusion:

The overall prevalence of oral HPV in adults was 3%; only the low-risk genotypes were detected and no association with other risk factors for oral cancer was found. However, an association with CMI of the oral mucosa was noted. The saliva sample proved to be a simple, efficient, and well-tolerated method suitable for screening for HPV, and more cases were detected in saliva compared with tissue scrapings.

Prevalence and Determinants of Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection in 500 Young Adults from Italy

Although the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing in developed countries and becoming a relevant health issue, the natural history of oral HPV infection is still unclear. Estimating the infection's prevalence in specific populations and identifying risk factors can widen our understanding of its natural history and help to delineate appropriate prevention strategies. This study sought to (i) determine oral HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in a large series of young Italian adults, (ii) validate an oral rinse sampling/storage protocol, and (iii) pinpoint factors associated with oral HPV infection. Five hundred students, nurses, and technicians (19-35 years-old) studying and working at/for the University of Padua were recruited. Each participant was provided with an oral rinse sampling kit and instructions for use. They were also asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire concerning their demographic characteristics and behaviors. The questionnaires and oral rinse containers were labeled with the same identification code number. The oral rinse samples were tested using a bead-based multiplex BSGP5+/6+-MPG genotyping assay which amplifies the L1 region of 51 mucosal HPV types. The prevalence of oral HPV infection was 4.0% (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.5%-6.1%); those of 14 high-risk HPV types and of HPV-type 16 (HPV16) infection were 2.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-3.9%) and 1.6% (95% CI, 0.6%-3.1%), respectively. HPV16 was the most frequent genotype (40.0% of oral HPV infections). No association was found between oral infection and the co-variables studied (gender, tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use, number of sex and oral sex partners, HPV vaccination status, history of HPV and sexually transmitted infections, abnormal pap smears, recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillectomy). The oral rinse sampling protocol outlined here proved to be simple, efficient and well tolerated, and the prevalence rate can be considered reliable and thus useful to guide future research. Determinants of oral HPV infection are still unclear and further studies are certainly warranted.

Detection and typing of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in malignant, dysplastic, nondysplastic and normal oral epithelium by nested polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and transitional electron microscopy in patients of northern Greece

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of HPV in oral carcinogenesis, we examined the prevalence of HPV in malignant, potentially malignant and normal oral epithelium and studied the relation of HPV prevalence with other factors obtained from the patient's records.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our material consisted of 291 tissue specimens from 258 individuals. From every individual formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissues were examined by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (NPCR) for the detection of HPV DNA and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the in situ detection of HPV L1 protein. Positive PCR products were sequenced in order to type HPVs. Also 33 fresh tissues were obtained, fixed and used to detect HPV particles by transitional electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

HPV was detected in 32.9% of the tissue specimens by NPCR, in 4.7% by immunohistochemistry and in 28.1% by TEM. In detail, by nested PCR HPV L1 DNA was detected in 40% of normal tissues, 40% of fibromas, 35.8% of non-dysplastic leukoplakias, 31.6% of dysplastic leukoplakias and 22.2% of oral squamous cell carcinomas. The HPV viral load of 96.5% of the samples was very low (1 viral copy per 10(2)-10(4) cells). HPV16 prevails in all histological groups in 89-100%.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that HPV does not seem, from the specific sample examined, to play a substantial role in oral carcinogenesis. However, it cannot be excluded that HPV could be involved in oral carcinogenesis only in cases with high viral load or at early stages of carcinogenesis possibly through the hit-and-run mechanism.

Detection of Salivary Human Papilloma Viruses 16 and 18 (HPV) in Smoker Men in an Iranian Population by PCR: A Pilot Study

Background:

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the oropharynx is acquired through a variety of sexual and social forms of transmission. Recent epidemiologic evidence has suggested that HPV may be an independent risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers, but risk factors for persistent HPV infection in the oropharynx are unknown. More evidence is needed regarding the prevalence of oral high-risk HPV among healthy smoker and nonsmoker adults.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare salivary infection with human papilloma virus types 16 and 18 between smokers and nonsmokers.

Patients and Methods:

A hundred healthy adult subjects were selected from Zahedan dental school for this pilot study. DNA was isolated from saliva samples and screened for high-risk HPV strains of HPV 16 and 18. Then, further processed using Real Time PCR for quantification and confirmation of sensitivity and specificity of the test. Data was analyzed by t-test.

Results:

There were no high-risk types of virus in patients and no significant differences between the groups (P = 1).

Conclusions:

It seems that smoking cannot increase the prevalence of high risk HPV 16, 18 in saliva samples.

Expression of human papillomavirus is correlated with Ki-67 and COX-2 expressions in keratocystic odontogenic tumor

The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and evaluate its association with Ki-67 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). Nineteen cases were included in the present study. Conventional PCR method and immunohistochemical analysis were performed for the detection of HPV-DNA and HPV-L1 capsid protein. Moreover, the expressions of Ki-67 and COX-2 proteins were analyzed immunohistochemically. HPV-DNA was detected in 36.8% (7/19) of tumor samples, whilst HPV-L1 protein was identified in 68.4% (13/19) of them. The Kappa coefficient statistical test showed a moderate agreement (κ 0.424) between PCR and IHC assays for HPV detection. Expression of HPV-DNA was positively correlated with Ki-67 and COX-2 expressions (p < 0.05), whereas HPV-L1 positive staining was positively correlated with COX-2 (p < 0.05) and highly associated with those of Ki-67 (p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the presence of HPV and the recurrence of the studied lesions. The results of the current study showed that active HPV infection was present in the odontogenic epithelium of KCOT, and it was associated with increased proliferation rate and COX-2 expression. These findings suggest that HPV may have a role in the pathogenesis and aggressiveness of KCOT. Based on these conclusions, we recommend further investigations of HPV vaccine or antiviral therapy and COX-2 inhibitors as nonsurgical options in the prevention and management of KCOT.

The impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11 in women with genital warts

OBJECTIVE

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are etiologically associated with the development of virtually all genital warts. HPV-6 and HPV-11 are the most commonly detected HPV genotypes, but at least 20 other HPV genotypes have occasionally been found in genital wart tissue specimens.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of this study was to determine from 100 genital wart tissue specimens collected from female patients using multiplex gap-PCR technique the prevalence of various genital HPV among women with HPV genital warts in south of Iran. 100 genital wart tissue specimens were tested for the presence of HPV PG5/PG6 and also for HPV type using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

Based on the collected data, 73 (73 %) samples were detected positive for HPV DNA and 23 (23 %) samples out of 100 samples were detected negative for HPV DNA. 49 (49 %) and 67 (67 %) of patients were detected positive for HPV type 6 and 11, respectively. There was a significant association between marital status and HPV genotype 6 (OR = 0.51, 95 % CI = 0.37-0.70, P = 0.01). Nevertheless, no significant association was found between marriage and HPV genotype 11 (OR = 0.85, 95 % CI = 0.58-1, 24, P = 0.7). Similarly, this result was demonstrated, in combined marriage and HPV-general (OR = 0.80, 95 % CI = 0.62-0.05, P = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

Concerning the prevalence of HPV in our study, determination of genital HPV prevalence and multiple infections among the normal population of women of Hormozgan Province is recommended.

Estimation of the epidemiological burden of human papillomavirus-related cancers and non-malignant diseases in men in Europe: a review

Background

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in malignant and non-malignant genital diseases in women is well known and the corresponding epidemiological burden has been widely described. However, less is known about the role of HPV in anal, penile and head and neck cancer, and the burden of malignant and non-malignant HPV-related diseases in men. The objective of this review is to estimate the epidemiological burden of HPV-related cancers and non-malignant diseases in men in Europe.

Methods

The annual number of new HPV-related cancers in men in Europe was estimated using Eurostat population data and applying cancer incidence rates published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The number of cancer cases attributable to HPV, and specifically to HPV16/18, was calculated based on the most relevant prevalence estimates. The annual number of new cases of genital warts was calculated from the most robust European studies; and latest HPV6/11 prevalence estimates were then applied. A literature review was also performed to retrieve exhaustive data on HPV infection at all anatomical sites under study, as well as incidence and prevalence of external genital warts, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and HPV-related cancer trends in men in Europe.

Results

A total of 72, 694 new cancer cases at HPV-related anatomical sites were estimated to occur each year in men in Europe. 17,403 of these cancer cases could be attributable to HPV, with 15,497 of them specifically attributable to HPV16/18. In addition, between 286,682 and 325,722 new cases of genital warts attributable to HPV6/11were estimated to occur annually in men in Europe.

Conclusions

The overall estimated epidemiological burden of HPV-related cancers and non-malignant diseases is high in men in Europe. Approximately 30% of all new cancer cases attributable to HPV16/18 that occur yearly in Europe were estimated to occur in men. As in women, the vast majority of HPV-positive cancer in men is related to HPV16/18, while almost all HPV-related non-malignant diseases are due to HPV6/11. A substantial number of these malignant and non-malignant diseases may potentially be prevented by quadrivalent HPV vaccination.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) screening and detection in healthy patient saliva samples: a pilot study

Background

The human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a large family of non-enveloped DNA viruses, mainly associated with cervical cancers. Recent epidemiologic evidence has suggested that HPV may be an independent risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers. Evidence now suggests HPV may modulate the malignancy process in some tobacco- and alcohol-induced oropharynx tumors, but might also be the primary oncogenic factor for inducing carcinogenesis among some non-smokers. More evidence, however, is needed regarding oral HPV prevalence among healthy adults to estimate risk. The goal of this study was to perform an HPV screening of normal healthy adults to assess oral HPV prevalence.

Methods

Healthy adult patients at a US dental school were selected to participate in this pilot study. DNA was isolated from saliva samples and screened for high-risk HPV strains HPV16 and HPV18 and further processed using qPCR for quantification and to confirm analytical sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Chi-square analysis revealed the patient sample was representative of the general clinic population with respect to gender, race and age (p < 0.05). Four patient samples were found to harbor HPV16 DNA, representing 2.6% of the total (n = 151). Three of the four HPV16-positive samples were from patients under 65 years of age and all four were female and Hispanic (non-White). No samples tested positive for HPV18.

Conclusions

The successful recruitment and screening of healthy adult patients revealed HPV16, but not HPV18, was present in a small subset. These results provide new information about oral HPV status, which may help to contextualize results from other studies that demonstrate oral cancer rates have risen in the US among both females and minorities and in some geographic areas that are not solely explained by rates of tobacco and alcohol use. The results of this study may be of significant value to further our understanding of oral health and disease risk, as well as to help design future studies exploring the role of other factors that influence oral HPV exposure, as well as the short- and long-term consequences of oral HPV infection.

The epidemiology of oral HPV infection among a multinational sample of healthy men

BACKGROUND

Oral human papillomavirus type-16 (HPV16) infection is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. We examined oral HPV infection among healthy men.

METHODS

Oral rinse/gargle specimens and questionnaire data were collected from 1,688 healthy men aged 18 to 74 (median = 31 years), from the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59, and noncarcinogenic HPV types were detected using Roche Linear Array.

RESULTS

Oral HPV DNA was detected in 67 of 1,680 (4.0%, 95% CI = 3.1%-5.0%) β-globin-positive specimens; carcinogenic HPVs were detected in 1.3% (95% CI = 0.8%-2.0%; n = 22) and HPV16 was the most commonly detected carcinogenic HPV type (0.6%, 95% CI = 0.2%-1.1%; n = 10). The prevalence of oral HPV infection was similar by country except for HPV55, which had notably higher prevalence in Mexico (3.0%) than Brazil (0%) or the United States (0.2%). Oral HPV prevalence nonsignificantly increased over increasing age categories (P(trend) = 0.096). The strongest predictor of oral HPV was current tobacco use, which increased the odds 2.5-fold (95% CI = 1.4-4.4). Oral sexual behaviors were not associated with oral HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral HPV16 infection was rare in healthy men, especially at younger ages, and was positively associated with current tobacco use.

IMPACT

Oral HPV appears to be about 10-fold less prevalent than infection at genital sites in men (4% vs. ∼40%, respectively). It remains unclear whether this reflects reduced exposure or if the oral region is more resistant to HPV infection compared with anogenital sites.

Oral human papillomavirus in healthy individuals: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is a common infection in the anogenital tract. HPV16 DNA detected in oral specimens has recently been identified as a risk factor for some oropharyngeal cancers. The reported prevalence of oral HPV infection from individual studies is highly variable.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed and abstracted data from published studies (n = 18) that detected oral HPV DNA in 4581 cancer-free subjects to determine the pooled prevalence (and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of HPV16, carcinogenic HPV, and any HPV.

RESULTS

1.3% (95% CI: 1.0-1.7%) of 3977 healthy subjects had oral HPV16, 3.5% (95% CI: 3.0-4.1) of 4441 subjects had carcinogenic HPV, and 4.5% (95% CI: 3.9-5.1) of 4070 subjects were positive for any HPV. Oral HPV16 accounted for 28% of all HPV detected in the oral region. Men (47 of 1017) and women (117 of 3690) had nearly exactly the same prevalence of any oral HPV detected (4.6% vs. 4.4%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

HPV-16, a common anogenital infection, was rarely detected in oral specimens. However, a small but noteworthy proportion of healthy individuals have oral HPV infections with types known to cause cancer in the oral region.

Comparison of HPV genotyping by type-specific PCR and sequencing

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide and there is a strong link between certain high-risk viral types and cervical carcinogenesis. Although there are several typing methods, it is still unclear which test is the best. This study compared the effectiveness of type-specific PCR (TS-PCR) and sequencing, with a focus on their clinical application. A total of 260 cervical samples from HPV-positive patients were tested for types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 using TS-PCR and sequencing. The genotype was identified in 36% of cases by TS-PCR and in 75% by sequencing. Sequencing was four times more likely to identify the viral type in positive samples than TS-PCR (p = 0.00). Despite being more effective for virus genotyping, sequencing was unable to identify viral types in multiple infections. Combining both techniques resulted in highly sensitive detection (87% of cases), showing that they are complementary methods. HPV genotyping is an important step in HPV management, helping to identify patients with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer and contributing to the development of type-specific vaccines.

Distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes in sardinian patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of gynecological carcinomas and in head and neck carcinomas. The aim of this study was to detect and genotype HPVs in fresh oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from a Sardinian population, and to determine whether HPV presence was significantly associated with the development of OSCC.

The oral mucosa tissues were obtained from 120 samples (68 OSCC and 52 control samples) taken from a Sardinian population seen at the Dental Clinic of the Department of Surgery and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Cagliari (Italy) and the “ Ospedale SS Trinità”, Cagliari (A.S.L. 8) between 2007 and 2008. PCR was used for the detection of HPV DNA and the genotype was determined by DNA sequencing. The frequency of HPV infection was evaluated in relation to age, sex, smoking and alcohol use. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 11.5 software.

The results showed the presence of HPV-DNA in 60.3% of OSCC with HPV-16 (51.2%) being the most frequent genotype. In these Sardinian OSCC patients, HPV-DNA was detected more in males (65.8%) than in females (34.1%) while controls show a 0% of HPV presence. HPV positive was highly associated with OSCC among subjects with a history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use and among those with no such history.

A greater frequency of high risk HPV presence was observed in patients with OSCC compared to health control patients. In addition these results suggested that oral HPV presence could be associated in OSCC subjects. Our results need more analyses to detect the HPV-DNA integration into tumoral cells.

Role of human papillomavirus and its detection in potentially malignant and malignant head and neck lesions: updated review

Head and neck malignancies are characterized by a multiphasic and multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the most common risk factors for head and neck malignancy. Other factors, including DNA viruses, especially human papilloma virus (HPV), may also play a role in the initiation or development of these lesions. The pathways of HPV transmission in the head and neck mucosal lesions include oral-genital contact, more than one sexual partner and perinatal transmission of HPV to the neonatal child. The increase in prevalence of HPV infection in these lesions may be due to wider acceptance of oral sex among teenagers and adults as this is perceived to be a form of safe sex. The prevalence of HPV in benign lesions as well as malignancies has been assessed by many techniques. Among these, the polymerase chain reaction is the most sensitive method. Review of literature reveals that HPV may be a risk factor for malignancies, but not in all cases. For confirmation of the role of HPV in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, large population studies are necessary in an assortment of clinical settings. Prophylactic vaccination against high-risk HPV types eventually may prevent a significant number of cervical carcinomas. Of the two vaccines currently available, Gardasil (Merck & Co., Inc.) protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, while the other vaccine, Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline, Rixensart, Belgium) protects against HPV types 16 and 18 only. However, the HPV vaccine has, to the best of our knowledge, not been tried in head and neck carcinoma. The role of HPV in etiopathogenesis, prevalence in benign and malignant lesions of this area and vaccination strategies are briefly reviewed here.

Low prevalence of human papillomavirus in squamous-cell carcinoma limited to oral cavity proper

Several investigations have reported that the human papillomavirus may play a role in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma development and may have a prognostic impact. However, inconsistent results regarding human papillomavirus prevalence have been obtained so far. Variables which may account for these discrepancies may be related to site of the samples' origin, detection methods and sample size. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of high-risk type human papillomavirus in a large, well defined sample of squamous-cell carcinoma limited to the oral cavity in its strictest definition-ie with no pharynx or larynx cancers included-by means of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, a method which ensures high sensitivity and offers the opportunity to exclude false-positive results. Data were obtained from 314 squamous-cell carcinoma limited to oral cavity proper, indicated that the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus was as low as 2% (CI 0.6-3). Matched pairs case-control analysis indicated that the prevalence among controls did not significantly differ with respect to cases and thus did not support a major role for the human papillomavirus in the etiology of squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.