title: Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in oral mucosal lesions using in situ DNA-hybridization applied on paraffin sections.
abstract: The in situ DNA hybridization technique, carried out under stringent conditions, was used to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA of types 6, 11, and 16 in paraffin sections of 32 surgically treated oral mucosal lesions. Expression of HPV structural proteins was analyzed by means of the immunoperoxidase (IP-PAP) method. A total of 10 (31.3%) of the 32 lesions proved to express HPV antigens, which were found in 4 of 7 squamous cell papillomas, in 2 of 2 classic condylomas, in 2 of 10 papillary hyperplasias, and in 2 of 3 leukoplakia lesions. Two of the squamous cell papillomas contained HPV 6 DNA, and 4 additional lesions were positive for HPV 11 DNA. In one of the condylomas, a double infection by HPV 6 and 11 was found, while the second was positive for HPV 11 alone. Both the HPV antigen-positive papillary hyperplasias contained HPV 6 DNA, as did the HPV antigen-positive leukoplakia lesions. Of the latter, one was infected by HPV 6 and 11. DNA of the "high-risk" HPV 16 was contained in two lesions: one lichen planus lesion and one of the two squamous cell carcinomas. The results confirm the previously reported evidence of HPV involvement in oral mucosal lesions. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the well-established premalignant character of oral leukoplakia and oral lichen planus, although far less commonly versus leukoplakia, with special emphasis on the discovery of the "high-risk" HPV 16 in the latter as well as in oral cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral