Detection of human papillomavirus in epithelial lesions of the conjunctiva.
BACKGROUND
Many factors like exposure to UV radiation, climatic conditions, genetic predisposition, immunological state and, more recently, the presence of HPV have been implicated in the genesis of some lesions of the conjunctiva, especially the carcinoma.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of HPV DNA in acquired lesions of the conjunctiva and in normal mucosa.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A public university referral center (the Ophthalmology Service of the A.C. Camargo Hospital - A. Prudente Foundation, São Paulo).


METHODS
Thirty patients with acquired lesions of the conjunctiva and 60 matched controls (by age and sex) were evaluated in this study, from June 1993 to March 1995.


METHODS
The detection of HPV DNA in the normal conjunctiva and in acquired lesions was done by the PCR technique and dot blot hybridization. The material was collected by scraping the normal mucosa and the surface of the lesions. A fragment of fresh frozen tissue and paraffin embedded specimens of each lesion were also included.


METHODS
The association between the HPV infection and the presence or absence of conjunctival lesions.


RESULTS
Sequences of HPV DNA were detected in 4 of the 31 lesions evaluated (12.9%) and in the healthy mucosa of one individual of the control group (1.6%). HPV type 16 was detected in 2 carcinomas and in the normal mucosa of one individual of the control group. HPV type 11 was demonstrated in 2 papillomas of one patient with lesions in both eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
The low frequency of HPV DNA found in the lesions of this sample and the detection of the viral genome in the normal mucosa indicate that there is a weak possibility of association between HPV infection and the carcinoma of the conjunctiva.
Palazzi
M A
MA
Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Erwenne
C M
CM
Villa
L L
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000821:virology*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004848:Epithelium / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010212:Papilloma / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction