title: Role of human papilloma virus-16 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus--an immunohistochemical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease with an aetiopathogenesis associated with cell-mediated immunological dysfunction. It is possible that oral mucosal viral infections, including human papilloma virus-16 (HPV-16) infection, may have a causative role in OLP pathogenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of HPV-16 in histopathologically diagnosed specimens of OLP and to evaluate whether any clinical features (such as the localisation of specimens) or the age or gender of patients, are correlated with the presence of this virus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted on 30 specimens with a histopathological diagnosis of OLP, using the immunohistochemical marker HPV-16. Thirty normal oral mucosa specimens were also included as controls. Brown nuclear staining was accepted as positive for the HPV-16 antibody. The results were analysed using Fisher's exact test. P values<0.05 were considered to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant correlation (P=0.0001) was observed between HPV-16 infection and samples with OLP. No statistical conclusions could be drawn regarding age, gender, localisation and HPV-16 positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that HPV-16 may play a role in the pathogenesis of OLP. Taking into account the oncogenic potential of HPV-16, patients with OLP should be screened for the presence of this virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Government Dental College & Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Chetan A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pol
authors.forename: Suvarna K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ghige
authors.forename: Suchitra R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gosavi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000821:virology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004396:Coloring Agents
keywords: Clinical features; human papilloma virus-16; immunohistochemistry; oncogenic potential; oral lichen planus