Hepatitis C Virus Detection In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C Virus infection is a major health problem causing significant morbidity and mortalityworldwide. The oral cavity is one of the most frequently reported extra-hepatic disease site associated withit. It has been suggested that HCV is a possible triggering factor for precancerous and cancerous oral lesions.The aim of this study was to detect HCV core antigen in oral squamous cell carcinoma in comparison withnormal mucosa tissues (control) using immunohistochemistry, to detect the possible relationship betweenHCV and OSCC.Material and Methods: A total of 50 archival paraffin embedded specimens were collected (25 OSCCspecimens with 25 control specimens) and HCV core antigen was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.The localization of HCV core antigen were evaluated in both groups. All cells displaying nuclear HCV coreantigen immunostaining were counted.Results: Overall frequency of HCV in OSCC cases was higher than in controls, and a highly significantdifference was observed between them (p < 0.01). Correlation of HCV positivity with the characteristicsof OSCC cases were noncontributory. The greatest cell count was recorded in poorly-differentiated OSCC,whereas the lowest value was recorded in control (P<0.001). Conclusion: HCV core antigen was frequentlydetected in OSCC. HCV is suggested to be a potential risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma.