Prevalence of oncogenic human papillomavirus 16 and 18 in the palatine tonsils of the general adult population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there has been a demonstrable increase in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected palatine tonsils corresponding to the increase in incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over time.


METHODS
Review of archived, paraffin-embedded, noncancerous palatine tonsils.


METHODS
A single institution in El Paso County, Colorado.


METHODS
Age- and sex-matched patients 21 years and older from 2 different periods: January 1, 1979, to December 31, 1982, (group A) and January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2001 (group B).


METHODS
Prevalence of oncogenic HPV-16 and HPV-18 in noncancerous palatine tonsils in relation to the incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC.


RESULTS
All specimens in both groups were negative for HPV-16 and HPV-18. Thus, the prevalence of HPV infection in the palatine tonsils of the general adult population was zero in both group A and group B.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis shows a low prevalence of HPV infection in the palatine tonsils of the general adult population in a single county in Colorado known to have an increasing rate of HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC. Analysis of oropharyngeal tissues from individuals at highest risk of developing HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC (middle-aged men) is likely to provide a higher prevalence rate.
Ernster
Joel A
JA
Colorado Otolaryngology Associates, 3030 N Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, USA. jernster@coloradoent.com
Sciotto
Cosimo G
CG
O'Brien
Maureen M
MM
Robinson
Linda J
LJ
Willson
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D015995:Prevalence; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000821:virology*