Prevalence and risk factors for oral HPV16/18 and candida in Japanese people without oral cancer or premalignant lesions

Abstract

AbstractAimCurrent studies indicate that oral human papillomavirus (HPV) and candida infection may increase the risk of developing oral cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors for HPV16/18 and candida infection in the oral cavity in Japanese people without oral cancer or premalignant lesions.MethodsWe targeted 181 Japanese patients (mean age 59.8 years, range 20–89 years) who visited Hiroshima University Hospital. None of the patients had oral cancer or oral potentially malignant disorder. Oral rinse samples were collected after mouth rinsing. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using type‐specific primers to detect HPV16/18 DNA and Candida albicans/Candida glabrata DNA.ResultsOf the 181 participants, 20 participants (11.0%) were HPV16 DNA positive and three participants (1.7%) were HPV18 DNA positive. Smoker had significant higher positive rates of HPV16 DNA than nonsmoker (P = 0.03). Additionally, binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking was significantly associated with HPV16 DNA (odds ratio 4.11, P = 0.01). Six participants (3.3%) showed co‐infection with HPV16 and C. albicans. No significant association was found between HPV16/18 and C. albicans/C. glabrata. Logistic regression analysis revealed that denture use was significantly associated with C. glabrata (odds ratio 5.09, P = 0.003).ConclusionsTobacco smoke is an important risk factor for oral HPV16 infection. Co‐infection with oral HPV16 and C. albicans can be found in people without oral cancer. Our results highlight the importance of not smoking and regularly cleaning dentures to prevent co‐infection with HPV and candida.