Data from Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection and Its Risk Factors among 5,410 Healthy Adults in China, 2009–2011

Abstract

<div>Abstract<p><b>Background:</b> Despite the established link between oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and a subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), little is known about the epidemiology of oral HPV infection among healthy adults in China.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Oral swab specimens and questionnaires were collected from 5,410 individuals (ages 25–65 years). HPV DNA in oral exfoliated cells was tested by general primer-mediated (SPF1/GP6+) PCR and sequencing. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between exposure factors and oral infection.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Alpha mucosal HPV types were detected in 0.67% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.47%–0.93%] of 5,351 β-globin–positive specimens, and cutaneous HPV in 5.46% (95% CI, 4.86%–6.10%). HPV 16 and 3 were the most prevalent types of α mucosal (0.43%; 95% CI, 0.27%–0.64%) and cutaneous HPV (4.17%; 95% CI, 3.65%–4.74%), respectively. The prevalence of α mucosal HPV decreased with increasing age (25–65 years) from 0.93% to 0.36% (<i>P</i><sub>trend</sub> = 0.033), and was associated with self-reported history of oral disease [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 4.78; 95% CI, 1.07–21.41]. In 1,614 heterosexual couples, cutaneous HPV in one partner was found to increase the other partner's risk of cutaneous HPV infection (adjusted OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.22–4.48).</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Oral HPV infection, particularly with α mucosal types, is rare among healthy adults in China. A younger age and a history of oral disease imply higher risk of α mucosal HPV infection.</p><p><b>Impact:</b> This study addresses the paucity of epidemiological data on oral HPV infection among healthy population in China. <i>Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(10); 2101–10. ©2014 AACR</i>.</p></div>