title: Detection of human papilloma virus 16 and 18 DNA sequences by southern blot hybridization in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The etiopathological role of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the causation of oral cancer is till a subject of speculation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the technique of Southern blot hybridization to detect the presence of HPV types 16 & 18 in biopsy specimens from oral cancer and leukoplakia patients as well as normal oral mucosal biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of either HPV type 16 or 18 was found in 64.5% (29/45) of oral cancer, 40%(12/30) of leukoplakia and 20%(9/45) of normal oral mucosal biopsies. No association could be demonstrated between tobacco usage habits or a history of genital warts with HPV prevalence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant finding was that none of the oral cancer patients were negative for both: a history of tobacco usage as well as presence of HPV infection, on Southern blot hybridization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005 India.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: G R K
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tiwary
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Khanna
keywords: Human papilloma virus; Leukoplakia; Oral cancer