Detection of HPV Infection in Non-cancer Oesophageal Lesions and Normal Tissue by Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) can be the aetiologic factor in the benign or malignant oesophageal epithelium. Human papilloma virus is suspected of causing extragenital cancers, including: cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus and the lungs. More than 40 genotypes of HPV that infect the anogenital area are associated with a large spectrum of diseases from benign proliferation to invasive cancers. The aims of our study were to evaluate the prevalence of HPV-infection in non-cancer oesophageal lesions in Mazandran, North of Iran, and identify the prevalence of HPV in benign lesions. Methods: A total of 104 non-cancer oesophageal samples were collected in paraffinated blocks of tissue archived in pathology. After deparaffinization and DNA extraction, nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) method was performed by HPV L1 primer pairs (MY09/MY11 and Gp5+/GP6+). Results: Of 104 cases, 35 (33.7%) were HPV DNA positive. By histopathology, 61.5%, 31.8%, 30.4% and 30% of dysplasia, oesophagitis, normal tissue and ulcerative lesions were positive for HPV DNA, respectively. Also, the lower-third (distal) of the oesophagus had less infection of HPV DNA (18.8%) than the upper and middle-third (about 46%). The highest prevalence of HPV DNA was found in cases > 75 years old. Conclusion: To our knowledge, considering the highest rate of HPV-infection in people more than 75 years, we recommend the diagnostic procedures at a lower age. Also, the proximal part of the oesophagus is more infected with HPV than the distal part.