Benign proliferative epithelial lesions of oral mucosa are infrequently associated with α‐, β‐, or γ human papillomaviruses

Abstract

Background Oral papillomas and verruca vulgaris have been associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, approximately half of these have remained HPV‐negative when tested for mucosal HPV genotypes. In this study, we evaluated presence of α‐, β‐, and γ‐HPVs in benign papillary and verrucous lesions. Methods Eighty‐three clinical lesions with suspected HPV etiology were analyzed for HPV types of genus α (n = 24), β (n = 46), and γ (n = 52). Immunohistochemistry was used for p16 as a possible surrogate marker of high‐risk HPV, accompanied by Ki‐67 proliferation marker. Results Altogether, α‐HPVs were detected in 6.4%, β‐HPVs in 2.4%, and γ‐HPV in 4.8%. The following genotypes were identified: HPV6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 161, and 170. Neither Ki‐67 nor p16 positivity alone were associated with HPV but combined staining showed significant inverse association ( P = .042). Conclusion HPV infection is found only in a minority of benign verrucous and papillary oral lesions, with the predominance of α‐HPVs. Level of Evidence 4

Role of human papillomavirus infection in the etiology of vulvar cancer in Italian women

“…E7-MPG uses HPV type-specific primers targeting the E7 region of 12 HR-HPVs (HPV16, 18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56, 58, 59), 7 possible/probable HR (pHR)-HPVs (HPV26, 53, 66, 68, 70, 73, 82), and two low-risk (LR) HPVs (HPV6 and 11). Forty-six genus beta HPVs (HPV5, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 36, 37, 38, 47, 49, [35][36][37][38][39][40][41] were detected using the same methodology.…”

Oral Infection by Mucosal and Cutaneous Human Papillomaviruses in the Men Who Have Sex with Men from the OHMAR Study

“…Viral DNA corresponding to 46 beta HPVs from β-species 1 (5,8,12,14,19,20,21,24,25,36,47,93,98,99,105,118,124,143, and 152), β-species 2 (9, 15, 17, 22, 23, 37, 38, 80, 100, 104, 107, 110, 111, 113, 120, 122, 145, 151, 159, and 174…”

“…The frequent detection of cutaneous HPVs in oral samples certainly leads to questions regarding their possible pathologic role at head and neck site. Although their pathologic role at mucosal epithelia still remains unknown, it is worth noting that cutaneous HPVs were found in a minor fraction of head and neck papillomas [11,12]. Interestingly, a longitudinal study provided evidence that oral positivity for some beta or gamma HPVs is associated with the development of head and neck cancer [13], although a direct role of cutaneous HPVs in this neoplasia remains to be proven.…”

Oral lesions in keratosis lichenoides chronica – a distinct histopathological criterion

“…Because of the marked acanthosis of the mucosa, we wanted to exclude histologically various forms of a highly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, even though there was no high clinical suspicion. Although a p16 stain did show some positive cells, the pattern was not typical for malignant processes but rather resembled benign oral hyperplasia [14]. In addition, the following clinical or histological criteria argued against a verrucous carcinoma, progressive verrucous leukoplakia (PVL), or stages of intraepithelial dysplasia: the absence of a verrucous or wavy whitish surface, the absence of involvement of the gingiva (as in PVL) or the tongue and floor of the mouth (as in squamous cell carcinoma), the absence of multifocal lesions, and, especially histologically, the absence of epithelial dysplasia.…”