Immunohistochemical localization of human papilloma virus in conjunctival neoplasias: a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
The extent of association of human papilloma virus (HPV) in human conjunctival neoplasias has been debated in studies originating from different parts of the world, but no substantial evidence has been generated on Indian subjects. This prompted us to carry out a retrospective study on conjunctival neoplasias diagnosed over the past 12 years.


METHODS
Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 65 specimens of ocular neoplasias and 30 normal controls diagnosed between 1991 and 2002 at a tertiary eye care hospital, was undertaken. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were reviewed for confirming histopathological diagnosis, presence of koilocytosis and changes related to actinic keratosis. Immunohistochemical analysis was done using HPV-specific monoclonal antibodies. Clinicopathological correlation and the association of HPV antigen with the histopathological features were performed.


RESULTS
Out of the 65 cases analyzed, 35 were papillomas and 30 were ocular surface squamous neoplasias (OSSN). The mean age was 48 years with a male preponderance. Histologically, koilocytosis was observed in 17.1% of papillomas and 36.6% of OSSN. Actinic keratosis was present in 33% of OSSN. Immunohistochemically 17.1% conjunctival papillomas stained positive for HPV antigen, all cases of OSSN were negative for HPV. There was no correlation between koilocytosis or actinic keratosis and the detection of HPV antigen.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between HPV and conjunctival neoplasias is variable in different geographical areas and also depends on the methods of detection used. This study warrants the need for applying more advanced techniques at a molecular level to determine the possible etiology of HPV in conjunctival neoplasias among Asian-Indians.
Sen
Seema
S
Ocular Pathology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. ssenop@rediffmail.com
Sharma
Anjana
A
Panda
Anita
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010212:Papilloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000956:Antigens, Viral
Surv Ophthalmol. 1995 May-Jun;39(6):429-50
7660300
Cent Afr J Med. 1994 Jan;40(1):24-6
8082148
Br J Ophthalmol. 1997 Apr;81(4):308-13
9215061
Br J Ophthalmol. 1997 Jul;81(7):595-8
9290377
Am J Clin Pathol. 2004 Dec;122(6):938-43
15539387
Arch Ophthalmol. 1999 Dec;117(12):1593-9
10604662
Br J Ophthalmol. 2001 Jul;85(7):785-7
11423448
Ophthalmology. 2002 Mar;109(3):542-7
11874759
Am J Clin Pathol. 2002 Mar;117(3):429-36
11888082
Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Apr;87(4):396-8
12642297
J Histochem Cytochem. 1981 Apr;29(4):577-80
6166661
Am J Ophthalmol. 1983 Mar;95(3):364-8
6299104
Arch Ophthalmol. 1986 Dec;104(12):1801-5
3024607
Hum Pathol. 1987 Nov;18(11):1115-9
2824322
N Engl J Med. 1989 Jun 1;320(22):1442-6
2541337
Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 1992 Apr;70(2):248-54
1319099
J Clin Pathol. 1995 Dec;48(12):1106-10
8567996