Assessment of HPV screening methods and sample storage in oral lichen planus lesions

Abstract

Aim:We investigated the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA distribution in oral lichen planus (OLP) samples using non-invasive methods, with the potential for much broader population screening.Methods:Three different non-invasive collection methods (dry storage, lysis buffer preservation, and use of a commercial tool to rake epithelial cells and immersion of the collection device into the provided rinse solution) were evaluated. HPV DNA was detected in brushed or scraped samples of the lesion site using a commercial HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction kit.Results:In the group of patients with OLP lesions, HPV was detected significantly more frequently than in the healthy control group (lysis buffer for control = 2.1%, p = 0.046; DNA•SAL™ rinse solution for control = 4.2%, p = 0.0003; dry storage for control = 6.3%, p = 0.0001) regardless of the different collection and preservation methods. HPV DNA was detected in 12.85% of the samples preserved in lysis buffer. HPV DNA was detected in 34.28% (p = 0.0048 vs. ly...