Detection and genotyping of human papilloma virus-associated oral lichen planus by in situ hybridization technique

Abstract EN

Background : Molecular DNA hybridization has confirmed more than 120 different human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes.

A small group of them have high- risk oncogenic potential.

Many studies have described an association of such high risk-HPV genotypes with a variety of oral lesions including squamous cell carcinoma, leukoplakia, and lichen planus.

.

Materials and Methods : A total number of 42 tissue specimens, representing 27 patients with oral lichen planus and 15 apparently-healthy oral tissues, were included in this study.

The molecular methods for HPV detection and genotyping were performed by in situ hybridization(ISH) using cocktailed- and specific high- risk HPV DNA probes, respectively.

Results : The overall percentage of HPV in the total group of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) was 33.3 %.

Negative HPV DNA- ISH reactions were detected in all tissues of the control group.

The overall genotyping results revealed HPV 16- DNA in all HPV- positive oral lichen planus tissues , while none of these OLP tissues showed ISH reactions for HPV 18-DNA or HPV 31/33- DNA.

Conclusions: The significant incidence of such high oncogenic HPV genotype in those patients with oral precancerous lesions could have a relevant importance along its pathogenesis and the multisteps oral carcinogenesis , HPV-16-associated oral lichen planus that has mostly previliged the site of cheek mucosa represents a herald indicator for spread of such sexually important transmitted infection among Iraqi general population.