Human papillomavirus in corneal and conjunctival carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) types, 6, 11, 16 and 18 in corneal and conjunctival carcinoma, we examined 88 dysplastic corneal and conjunctival specimens and 66 controls that had been formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded.


METHODS
Sections were graded for histological abnormality by light microscopy and the presence of HPV DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction using LI consensus primers.


RESULTS
Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 34 (39%) dysplasias and in five (7.5%) controls. Of dysplasias that were HPV-positive, 20 (59%) contained either types 16 or 18, 13 (38%) contained only types 6/11, while combinations of HPV types were present in 11 (32%). A histological correlation was found with HPV positivity (all genotypes) and unusually large ('epithelioid') dysplastic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates a lower incidence of HPV in corneal and conjunctival carcinoma than previously reported, but shows an unexpectedly high incidence of HPV 6/11 in conjunctival carcinomas.
Tabrizi
S N
SN
Department of Microbiology, Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. Sepehrta@ozonline.com.au
McCurrach
F E
FE
Drewe
R H
RH
Borg
A J
AJ
Garland
S M
SM
Taylor
H R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D004279:DNA, Viral