Asymptomatic oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women with a histopathologic diagnosis of genital HPV

J Oral Sci. 2011 Dec;53(4):451-9. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.53.451.

Abstract

The oral route of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission is not fully understood. It has been suggested that genital infection can act as a reservoir for oral HPV infection. We investigated the presence of oral HPV DNA and anti-HPV IgA in the buccal cavity of patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of cervical HPV infection. One hundred women underwent oral clinical examinations to detect HPV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction and salivary anti-HPV IgA by indirect immunofluorescence. Information on the personal habits of all the women was collected in personal interviews. Our results showed that 99% of the patients had no clinical manifestations of oral HPV. However, HPV DNA was detected in 81% of oral mucosa samples, and anti-HPV IgA was detected in the saliva of 44% of the patients. Consumption of alcoholic beverages was significantly associated with detection of oral HPV DNA and salivary anti-HPV IgA. Other behavioral risk factors associated with oral HPV and anti-HPV IgA are also discussed. In conclusion, patients with genital HPV infection are at risk for subclinical oral HPV infection. Thus, a molecular assay might be necessary to diagnose such infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Antibodies, Viral / genetics
  • Asymptomatic Infections*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Mouth Diseases / virology*
  • Mouth Mucosa / virology*
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics
  • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification
  • Papillomavirus Infections / transmission
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Risk Factors
  • Saliva / immunology
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / diagnosis
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / virology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA, Viral