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Several types of human papilloma viruses (HPV) have been associated with benign and malignant squamous cell tumours of mucosal epithelium. To identify HPV in erosive oral lichen planus (OLPe), considered as a premalignant lesion, tissues from 20 patients were examined by Southern blot hybridization with 32P-labeled HPV DNA probes. Type 11 was found in 6 of the lesions while HPV types 6, 16 and 18 were not detected in any of the tissues examined. Using a type-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for HPV-6, 11, 16 and 18, HPV-11 was detected in 8 of the samples (all of those positive by Southern blot), and, in addition, HPV-6 was found in 5 samples and HPV-16 in 3 samples. Overall, by the more sensitive PCR assay, 65% of samples were positive for HPV DNA. The finding of HPV DNA in many of the samples using two different techniques indicates a high prevalence of HPV in the OLPe afflicted oral mucosa. However, the role of HPV in the pathogenesis of OLPe has yet to be determined.

Tissue specimens of carcinoma, leukoplakia, and clinically normal epithelium obtained at sites separate from the lesions were examined for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Twenty-two paraffinized specimens of previously diagnosed oral lichen planus were also studied. The carcinoma and leukoplakia specimens were examined by Southern transfer hybridization and reverse blot hybridization; specimens HPV-positive by Southern hybridization were additionally examined by in situ hybridization and an immunoperoxidase technique. The lichen planus specimens were examined by in situ hybridization and immunoperoxidase techniques only. The HPV identification rates were in the range reported in previous studies, and the detection rates were similar for carcinoma, leukoplakia, histologically normal epithelium, and lichen planus. The clinical significance of HPV presence in carcinoma, leukoplakia, and lichen planus was not evaluable because of the short duration of follow-up.

These results suggest patients with AD have deficits in contrast sensitivity attributable to dysfunction of the primary afferent visual pathway.