Investigation into a possible association between oral lichen planus, the human herpesviruses, and the human papillomaviruses.
BACKGROUND
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic relapsing cell-mediated condition of unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if the human herpesviruses (HHVs) or human papillomaviruses (HPVs) act as possible factors or co-factors in the pathogenesis of OLP.


METHODS
Thirty-eight histologically confirmed OLP and 20 normal control buccal mucosa tissue samples were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was employed to detect members of the HHV and HPV families.


RESULTS
The Epstein-Barr virus and HHV-7 were detected in a small percentage of tissue samples. However, HPV-16 was detected in 26.3% of OLP samples and 0% of the normal control tissues. The epidermodysplasia verruciformis-related HPV types were detected in 42% of OLP samples and 45% of normal control samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not suggest a causative role for members of the HHV family in the pathology of OLP. However, a statistical association was found between HPV-16 presence and OLP.
Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Cathal
C
OFlatharta
Stephen R
SR
Flint
Mary
M
Toner
David
D
Butler
Mohamed J E M F
MJ
Mabruk
D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral