Human papillomavirus infection in Barrett's oesophagus in the UK: an infrequent event.
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been reported in squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus and has been recently described in Barrett's oesophagus, a premalignant condition which may give rise to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate HPV infection in Barrett's oesophagus in a UK population.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from 73 Barrett's oesophagus biopsies and examined for the presence of DNA for 14 high risk (HR) and 6 low risk (LR) HPV types.


RESULTS
HPV DNA was present in only 1 of 73 samples; genotyping indicated this was a high risk type 51 infection.


CONCLUSIONS
HPV infection appears unlikely to be a significant factor in the aetiology of Barrett's oesophagus in the UK.
Rai
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom.
Jenkins
G J S
GJ
McAdam
E
E
Hibbitts
S J
SJ
Fiander
A N
AN
Powell
N G
NG
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D004279:DNA, Viral