Human papillomavirus DNA in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the Free State, South Africa

J Med Virol. 2020 Feb;92(2):227-233. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25556.

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been associated with a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV DNA in archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from patients with histologically confirmed HNSCCs in a South African cohort. A nested PCR was used for the detection of HPV DNA targeting the L1 gene. Positive samples were confirmed using an in-house hemi-nested PCR targeting the E6 gene and genotyped by sequence determination of amplicons. HPV DNA was detected in 57/780 (7.3%) samples, with the highest prevalence being in the sinonasal tract (16.0%) and oropharynx (10.8%). HPV16 was the most frequently detected type, being found in 26/57 (45.6%) positive samples. The prevalence of HPV DNA in HNSCCs found in this study was lower than that found in developed countries.

Keywords: formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues; head, and neck squamous cell carcinomas; human papillomaviruses; hypopharynx carcinoma; larynx carcinoma; nasopharynx carcinoma; oral squamous cell carcinoma; oropharynx carcinoma; prevalence; sinonasal carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alphapapillomavirus / classification
  • Alphapapillomavirus / genetics
  • Alphapapillomavirus / isolation & purification*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Genotype
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / virology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / epidemiology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / virology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Viral