Presence Of Human Papillomavirus DNA Research Articles

Presence of human papillomavirus DNA in breast cancer patients: SERUM and tissue analysis.

e12582 Background: It has been demonstrated an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) incidence in patients with previous cervical dysplasia, suggesting a role of human papillomavirus (HPV) of cervical lesions in the development of BC. Although, the origin of HPV spreading to the mammary gland and its mechanism of dissemination is not clear. Methods: Seven serum samples from healthy donors and 58 from early BC patients collected pre-surgery were analyzed for the presence of HPV DNA. For 49/58 patients HPV DNA was analyzed also on the primary tumor tissue. 17 patients had luminal A BC (4 relapsed, 13 non relapsed), 16 had luminal B BC (5 relapsed, 11 non relapsed), 13 had triple-negative BC (6 relapsed, 7 non relapsed), 12 had HER2-positive BC (4 relapsed, 8 non relapsed). Circulating DNA was extracted from 500 μl of serum by Qiamp DNA Mini kit (Qiagen, Milan, Italy) and tumor DNA was extracted from at least four 10-micron sections by QIAamp DNA FFPE Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Milan, Italy). Circulating HPV DNA was amplified by a multiplex PCR with HPV E6 or E7 gene-specific primers and the sequence was assessed by a high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based method. Results: HPV DNA was detected in only 5 serum of BC patients and in none of the healthy controls. 4/5 BC cases had high-risk HPV DNA (type 39,45,52,59) and 1 had type 73 low-risk HPV DNA. 4/5 HPV DNA-positive patients had previously low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I) detected by Pap smear. These 5 patients with circulating HPV DNA did not show HPV positivity in the BC tissue. 2 out of 49 cases were positive for universal HPV DNA sequence in tissue and only 1 case showed HPV type 51. No relation was found between HPV infection and tumor subtype or prognosis, neither for HPV DNA positivity between serum and tissue. Conclusions: Our data support the feasibility of HPV DNA detection by liquid biopsy in BC. The presence of circulating HPV could be due to a viral spread from other organs. More data are needed to establish the role of circulating HPV DNA and its potential association with HPV infection of the breast and/or of the cervix. [Table: see text]

Studying the interrelation between the HPV infection status and the morphological features of bladder cancer.

e17003 Background: The etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and larynx is considered proven. At the same time, there are conflicting data in the literature on the role of HPV in the development of bladder cancer (BC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in patients with BC, identifying the relationship between the status of infection and the morphological characteristics of the tumor. Methods: The study included 46 patients (10 women and 36 men) with morphologically confirmed urothelial cancer. Samples of urine, tumor tissue and a healthy bladder mucosa were examined. HPV DNA was determined by real-time PCR. Results: 28 (60.9%) patients were infected with high-risk HPV, including 6 (60.0%) women and 22 (61.1%) men. In 14 (30.4%) patients, HPV DNA was found in the tissue of the bladder mucosa: in 6 (13.0%) cases it was only in tumor tissue, in 4 (8.7%) only in healthy mucosa, in 4 (8.7%) simultaneously in healthy and tumor tissue. HPV DNA was detected in urine in 22 (47.8%) patients. The simultaneous presence of HPV DNA in the tissue of the bladder mucosa and urine was found in 8 (28.6%) HPV-positive patients. Single HPV infection was found in 20 (71.4%) patients, two types were found in 8 (28.6%). When analyzing type diversity, it was found that HPV16 infected 14 (38.9%) patients; HPV18, 31, 39 and 56 were determined in 4 (11.1%) cases each; 33, 52 and 59 types in 2 (5.6%) cases. Chronic inflammation was noted in 12 (26.1%) patients, 6 (50.0%) of them were HPV-positive. Among HPV-positive patients, invasive cancer was registered in 18 (64.3%), non-invasive cancer in 10 (35.7%) patients. Among HPV-negative patients, these rates were 14 (77.8%) and 4 (22.2%), respectively (p > 0.05). In the group of HPV-positive patients, tumors with a low degree of differentiation were found in 16 (57.1%), moderate in 6 (21.4%), high in 6 (21.4%). Among HPV-negative patients, these indicators were 4 (22.2%), 12 (66.7%) and 2 (11.1%), respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: HPV infection was detected in 60.9% of patients, including tumor tissue infection in 21.7% of patients. The most common HPV type was HPV16. There was no statistically significant difference between HPV-positive and negative tumors.

Identification of Cervical Human Papillomavirus by Self-Collection in Grenada [OP02-6B

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear/cervical cytology is widely accessible, however, it’s underutilized in developing countries worldwide. A self-sampling device evaluated in Grenada in 2017 was determined to be acceptable to women, and adequate in obtaining and evaluating cervical cells. Additionally, testing for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the precursor for the development of cervical cancer, was performed. METHODS: Following IRB approval, women were recruited to the St. George’s University clinic in St. George’s, Grenada. Two cervical samples were obtained from each woman: one via the self-sampling device, and one by a physician. With informed consent, 101 women provided samples, of which the first isolate was tested for the presence of HPV DNA. If HPV was identified, it was further subtyped. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 49/101 (48%) samples: 25/50 (50%) from physician obtained samples and 24/51 (47%) via the self-sampling device. The difference in detection rates was not statistically significant. A total of 24 different genotypes were detected, and classified into low-risk, high-risk or mixed. Women with abnormal results were appropriately evaluated by close follow-up, colposcopy or biopsy. CONCLUSION: The self-screening device was adequate in obtaining cervical cells with co-testing for HPV. In a group of self-referred women living in Grenada, results showed additional HPV genotypes to the usual 6, 11, 16 & 18 commonly described in the literature. Self-sampling may be an effective method of identifying HPV in a developing country, conserving limited resources for further evaluation of women at risk.

Presence of HPV DNA in extracellular vesicles from HeLa cells and cervical samples

IntroductionThe main cause of cervical cancer is an infection of keratinocytes in the basal layer of the stratified epithelium of the cervix by human papillomavirus (HPV). Other than in cervical samples, HPV DNA has been found in serum and other fluids but its origin is unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EV) could be a conveyance of viral DNA given their emerging role in cellular communication. The content of EV derived from cervical cells has not been properly explored and it is not known whether or not they contain HPV DNA. MethodsWe evaluated the DNA content of exosomes purified from cultures of HeLa cells by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and confirmed its presence by PCR. The presence of HPV DNA was also evaluated by PCR and NGS in EV from HPV-positive cervical samples without apparent lesion or with LSIL. ResultsWe detected the integrated form of viral-DNA in exosomes from HeLa cells by NGS and confirmed its presence by PCR. The search for HPV sequences in EV obtained from cervical exudate samples without apparent lesion or with LSIL, where we expected to find the viral genome as an episome, indicated that HPV DNA, including the E6 and E7 oncogenes, is present in these EV. ConclusionHPV DNA, including the viral oncogenes E6/E7, is found in exosomes regardless of the integration status of the virus in the infected cell.

Prognostic Significance of HPV DNA and p16INK4a in Anal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies evaluating survival in patients with anal cancer, according to human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, p16INK4a, and combined HPV DNA/p16INK4a status. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies published in English until July 25, 2018, directly providing or allowing estimation of survival of patients with anal cancer according to the presence of HPV DNA and/or overexpression of p16INK4a We estimated pooled HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival (OS) using a random-effects model. We included 16 studies, comprising 1,724 patients with anal cancer tested for HPV DNA (65% positive), and 567 patients tested for p16INK4a (87% positive). The pooled HR for OS was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.33-0.89) for HPV DNA positive versus negative, 0.37 (95% CI, 0.24-0.57) for p16INK4a positive versus negative, and 0.36 (95% CI, 0.22-0.58) for HPV DNA positive/p16INK4a positive versus HPV DNA positive/p16INK4a negative patients with anal cancer. Patients with HPV DNA or p16INK4a positive anal cancer have significantly better OS compared with HPV DNA or p16INK4a negative. This points to the possible value of HPV DNA and/or p16INK4a testing when planning the management and follow-up strategy for patients diagnosed with anal cancer.

Presence of human papillomavirus DNA in voriconazole-associated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Voriconazole and genus beta human papillomavirus (HPV) are independently associated with the development of photo-exposed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) but have not been evaluated concurrently. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and type of detectable HPV DNA in voriconazole-associated SCC. SCCs from immunosuppressed patients, in those with and without voriconazole exposure, were evaluated by PCR analysis for HPV DNA and compared to SCC from non-immunosuppressed patients. An additional expanded PCR analysis of all SCC that developed in the voriconazole group was also performed. HPV DNA was detected by PCR in all groups regardless of the immunosuppression status (80.5%) with beta HPV most prevalent (64.3-78.6%). However, immunosuppressed patients were significantly more likely to be infected by beta HPV types 5, 8, 14, 20, and 21 (P-value 0.014), and represented the majority of beta HPV types found in the voriconazole group. In this retrospective study, beta HPV 5, 8, 14, 20, and 21 were commonly detected in voriconazole-associated SCC. The results indicate a possible role of beta HPV in the pathogenesis of cutaneous SCC in photo-exposed areas. Further studies are needed to establish the role of HPV and voriconazole in the pathogenesis of the lesion.

Human papillomavirus in spermatozoa is efficiently removed by washing: a suitable approach for assisted reproduction.

Is it possible, by sperm-washing spermatozoa from clinically HPV-positive men, to obtain spermatozoa free of human papillomavirus (HPV) to be employed in assisted reproduction? This was an observational study performed on HPV-positive men. Freshly ejaculated semen was collected and readily processed by gradient separation followed by swim-up from the washed pellet. The resulting fractions were seminal plasma, cell pellet, round cells, non-motile spermatozoa and motile spermatozoa. All fractions were then tested for the presence of HPV DNA. Of the 15 clinically HPV-positive subjects, 67% were positive in at least one of the seminal fractions. If any postivity was detected, the plasma was always HPV positive. No consistent pattern was observed throughout different samples in the cell pellet, round cell and non-motile spermatozoa fractions. However, after the sperm-wash procedure, the fraction of motile spermatozoa was never found to be HPV-positive. The sperm-washing technique, which was previously successfully used to remove human immunodeficiency virus, can efficiently remove HPV from spermatozoa. However, the present study was conducted on a small population so a larger follow-up study is recommended. HPV screening should be performed in sperm samples and, upon HPV positivity, sperm-washing should be considered before assisted reproduction techniques are used.

Targeting Viral DNA and Promoter Hypermethylation in Salivary Rinses for Recurrent HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer.

The incidence and survivorship of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are increasing. Presence of HPV DNA and epigenetic alterations in salivary rinses are independently associated with clinical prognosis. We evaluated the utility of a combined panel in detecting disease recurrence during surveillance. We also assessed the assay's applicability in screening for HPV+ OPSCC. Retrospective cohort study. Two tertiary academic hospitals. Forty-nine patients with posttreatment OPSCC were enrolled. Separately, 21 treatment-naive patients and 40 controls were included in the screening analysis. Salivary rinses were obtained from these cohorts and biomarker levels were quantified. Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate logistic models were used to assess performance of biomarker combinations. Eight patients (16.3%) in the posttreatment cohort developed locoregional recurrence. Recurrence was associated with alcohol use (odds ratio [OR], 6.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-3.79) and advanced nodal disease (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.52-3.01). A panel of HPV DNA and methylated EDNRB improved detection of recurrent disease (area under the curve [AUC], 0.88) compared to single markers (AUC, 0.69-0.78). Positive biomarkers preceded clinical detection by 2.4 ± 1.6 months and was associated with nearly 40-fold risk of recurrence (OR, 36.4; 95% CI, 1.15-45.22). Within the screening analysis, single biomarkers demonstrated moderate sensitivity and specificity (AUC, 0.59-0.83) in the detection of primary disease. A panel combining HPV DNA markers with methylated EDNRB and methylated PAX5 improved AUC to 0.93. Detection of high-risk HPV DNA or aberrant hypermethylation in oral rinses is associated with presence and recurrence of OPSCC. Targeting both markers in saliva may have utility in long-term surveillance.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the right colon with diffuse signet-ring mucinous component

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most frequent human malignant neoplasms. Besides the most common histological types, colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma is very rare, being microscopically constituted by tumoural glandular and squamous components. The diagnosis of primary colon adenosquamous carcinoma requires the exclusion of a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and the extension of a primary squamous cell carcinoma from the anal-rectum junction. We report a case of primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the ascending colon in a 62-year-old Caucasian man affected by long-standing ulcerative colitis. Peritumoural lymph nodes and distant metastasis were present. We reported also a diffuse signet-ring mucinous component, which has not been previously observed. Moreover, we investigated microsatellite and all-RAS/B-RAF status, p16 and p53 protein expression, and the molecular presence of human papillomavirus DNA in all the morphologically distinct components, in order to suggest pathogenetic factors influencing the aggressive prognosis of colon adenosquamous carcinoma.

Villitis of unknown etiology and chronic deciduitis are not associated with human papilloma virus and enterovirus infection.

Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) and chronic deciduitis with plasma cells (CD) are supposed to be non infectious placental lesions caused by a pathologic immune reaction similar to a host versus graft mechanism. In some investigations, infection of human trophoblastic cells with human papilloma virus (HPV) has been described, and a relationship with miscarriage, preeclampsia, and chronic inflammatory placental lesions has been suspected. Infection with enterovirus, especially Coxsackievirus, has been observed in cases with spontaneous abortion and adverse perinatal outcome, respectively. We investigated 20 cases with VUE and 30 cases with chronic deciduitis with plasma cells. The placenta specimens were analyzed for expression of HPV capsid protein by immunohistochemistry, for presence of HPV DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and for presence of enterovirus mRNA using RT-PCR, respectively. VUE was associated with maternal diseases: atopic lesions in 21%, other autoimmune diseases in 15.5%, and obesity in 31.5%, respectively. Birth weight below the 10th percentile was detected in 63% of the cases with VUE. Chronic deciduitis was associated with preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes (26%). Intrauterine fetal demise occurred in 5 cases with CD (18.5%). HPV DNA, HPV capsid protein, and enterovirus mRNA were not detected in all investigated VUE or CD cases. Our investigations show that a causal role for enterovirus and human papilloma virus in the development of VUE and CD is unlikely. Therefore, HPV vaccination is unlikely to reduce the incidence of VUE and CD in the future.

Low prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in sinonasal inverted papilloma and oncocytic papilloma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) and sinonasal oncocytic papilloma (SOP) from a single institution and whether p16 can serve as a surrogate marker for HPV infection. This study included 49 subjects with SIP and 36 subjects with SOP. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were used to extract genomic DNA, and HPV detection was performed by utilizing a valid nested polymerase chain reaction approach that can detect all known HPV subtypes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of p16 in all tumor sections. The presence of HPV DNA was found in 6.1% (3/49) of the SIP patients and 11.1% (4/36) of the SOP patients. All identified HPV subtypes in SIP were high-risk HPV, including HPV-16 (two patients) and HPV-58 (one patient). Regarding SOP, there were three patients positive for HPV-16 and one with low-risk HPV (type 6). In total, 11/49 (22.4%) SIP lesions and 10/36 (27.8%) SOP lesions were considered p16 positive, with p16 staining in more than 70% of tumor cells. There was only one SIP and one SOP that were positive for both HPV (high-risk HPV type 16) and p16 staining. HPV does not play an etiologic role in inverted papilloma or oncocytic papilloma of the sinonasal region. p16 immunostaining should not be used as a surrogate marker to evaluate the HPV infection status in these lesions.

Detection and genotyping of CMV and HPV in tumors and fallopian tubes from epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Viral and bacterial infections are detected in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues. Since the fallopian tubes are often affected by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and the majority of serous EOCs appear to originate from dysplastic lesions in the distal tube, it is relevant to consider the potential role that infectious agents may play in ovarian carcinogenesis. We sought to analyze the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in EOC tissue and fallopian tube specimens obtained at tumor resection. Ovarian cancer and fallopian tube tissue samples obtained from patients with EOC were analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative PCR to detect and quantify viral DNA. The presence of CMV and HPV DNA was detected in 70% and 74% cancerous ovarian tissues, respectively, and was significantly higher in EOC than in benign tumor cases (P ≤ 0.01). CMV or HPV infection was observed also in the fallopian tube samples. Infection with HPV16 was determined in 70% of EOC cases. Almost two thirds of EOC patients demonstrated coinfection with CMV and HPV in the pathological samples. The results revealed that the presence of CMV and HPV in EOC samples is common. CMV and HPV infections can be potential risks for EOC development.

Co-occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in newborns and their parents

BackgroundThe potential HPV transmission route includes horizontal transmission “in utero” and vertical transmission from parents. Less is known about the role of child’s father as a potential source of HPV infection and involved in the pathogen’s epidemic chain. A possible consequence of perinatal infection includes HPV-related childhood diseases and carrying the risk of cervical cancer development in female offspring. In view of the evidence, studies of HPV co-occurrence in one or both parents and their offspring seem vital for the implementation of respective preventive measures. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of common HPV 16/18 infections in newborns and their parents, and to assess its role of the periconceptional transmission.MethodsTo determine the incidence of common HPV infections in newborns from single pregnancies and their parents. The study included 146 pregnant women, as well as their partners, and newborns. They were tested for the presence of HPV 16/18 DNA using the PCR method. HPV types 16 and/or 18 were identified using type-specific PCR primers. The quality of the extracted DNA was evaluated by PCR using PC03/PC04 β-globin-specific primers. The relationship between the presence of neonatal and parental HPV infection was analyzed using a multivariable regression model. Calculations were carried out with the Statistica 10.ResultsThe presence of HPV DNA was detected in 19 (13,01%) newborns, 28 (19,18%) mothers, and 20 (13,7%) fathers. The viral DNA was detected in 14 newborns delivered by HPV-positive mothers (OR = 26,08; CI: 8,07-84,31, p < 0.001), 12 descendants of HPV-positive fathers (OR = 22,13; CI: 6,97-70,27, p < 0.001), and 10 children originating from two infected parents (OR = 24,20; CI: 6,84–85,57 p < 0.001). Those findings points to a increase risk of an acquired infection in newborns with HPV-positive parents.ConclusionOur findings suggest the possible role of the periconceptional transmission in the mode of acquired HPV 16/18 infections.

HPV DNA Associates With Breast Cancer Malignancy and It Is Transferred to Breast Cancer Stromal Cells by Extracellular Vesicles.

A causal link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and breast cancer (BC) remains controversial. In spite of this, the observation that HPV DNA is over-represented in the Triple Negative (TN) BC has been reported. Here we remark the high prevalence of HPV DNA (44.4%) in aggressive BC subtypes (TN and HER2+) in a population of 273 Italian women and we convey the presence of HPV DNA in the epithelial and stromal compartments by in situ hybridization. As previously reported, we also found that serum derived-extracellular vesicles (EVs) from BC affected patients contain HPV DNA. Interestingly, in one TNBC patient, the same HPV DNA type was detected in the serum-derived EVs, cervical and BC tissue samples. Then, we report that HPV DNA can be transferred by EVs to recipient BC stromal cells that show an activated phenotype (e.g., CD44, IL6 expression) and an enhanced capability to sustain mammospheres (MS) formation. These data suggest that HPV DNA vehiculated by EVs is a potential trigger for BC niche aggressiveness.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, Serovar Distribution and Co-Infections with Seven High-Risk HPV Types among Italian Women with a Recent History of Abnormal Cervical Cytology.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections throughout the world. Despite the serious complications associated with chronic Ct infections in sexually active women, a screening program is not yet available in Italy. Moreover, HPV/Ct co-infections are also known to occur frequently, increasing the risk of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Ct infections, the distribution of Ct serovars, and the incidences of Ct/HPV co-infections among women with a recent history of abnormal cervical cytology. Cervical samples were collected from 199 women referred for a gynecological visit following an abnormal Pap test results. All samples were tested for the presence of Ct and HPV DNA using real-time PCR assays; Ct typing of positive samples was performed by PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) targeting the ompA gene. A high percentage of these women (12.8% and 21.7% with or without abnormal cytology on “retesting”, respectively) were found to be Ct positive. Serovar F was the most prevalent type in Ct positive women, followed by E and K. Ct/HPV co-infections were detected in 7% (14/199) of enrolled women, with HPV-16, HPV-51, and HPV-52 being most frequently identified in co-infections. This study provides new epidemiological data on the prevalence of Ct and associated HPV infection in women with a recent history of abnormal cervical cytology in Italy, where notification of cases is not mandatory.

Presence of HPV DNA in extracellular vesicles from HeLa cells and cervical samples

IntroductionThe main cause of cervical cancer is an infection of keratinocytes in the basal layer of the stratified epithelium of the cervix by human papillomavirus (HPV). Other than in cervical samples, HPV DNA has been found in serum and other fluids but its origin is unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EV) could be a conveyance of viral DNA given their emerging role in cellular communication. The content of EV derived from cervical cells has not been properly explored and it is not known whether or not they contain HPV DNA. MethodsWe evaluated the DNA content of exosomes purified from cultures of HeLa cells by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and confirmed its presence by PCR. The presence of HPV DNA was also evaluated by PCR and NGS in EV from HPV-positive cervical samples without apparent lesion or with LSIL. ResultsWe detected the integrated form of viral-DNA in exosomes from HeLa cells by NGS and confirmed its presence by PCR. The search for HPV sequences in EV obtained from cervical exudate samples without apparent lesion or with LSIL, where we expected to find the viral genome as an episome, indicated that HPV DNA, including the E6 and E7 oncogenes, is present in these EV. ConclusionHPV DNA, including the viral oncogenes E6/E7, is found in exosomes regardless of the integration status of the virus in the infected cell.

Detection and quantitation of human papillomavirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood donors.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological agent of cervical cancer. Also, HPV has been associated with anogenital cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, genital warts, and other dermatological diseases. HPV infects epithelial cells and their replication is closely linked to epithelial differentiation. The presence of HPV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) has been reported in some patients with head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, and other genital diseases. However, the presence of HPV DNA in blood in asymptomatic subjects is still unresolved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of HPV DNA in PBMC from asymptomatic blood donors. Blood samples were collected from 207 healthy Chilean blood donors. Genomic DNA was extracted from PBMC and HPV DNA detection was performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays with GP5+/6+ primers. HPV typing was carried out by genetic sequencing of a 140 to 150 bp fragment of the L1 gene. HPV DNA was detected in 6.8% (14/207) of blood donors. Single HPV infections were detected in seven blood donors. High-risk HPV was found in 6.3% (13/207) of cases: nine blood donors were infected with HPV-16, five with HPV-18, two with HPV-51, and one case was infected with either 32, 33, 45, 59, 66, 70, or 82. The median viral load value was 21.3 copies/mL blood or 13.4 HPV (+) cells per 10 4 PBMC. These results show that HPV DNA is present in PBMC from healthy blood donors and it suggests that blood could be a new route of HPV dissemination.

Detection of high-risk human papillomavirus in the tonsils of galilee region adults and young adults undergoing tonsillectomy.

The presence of high-risk HPV in non-malignant tonsil tissues from patients who underwent tonsillectomy in the Galilee area might explain the low incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal malignancy in the country. The aim of this retrospective study was to study the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in non-malignant tonsillectomy specimens of adults in the Galilee area. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all tonsil samples in our medical center. Tonsils from patients over 20 years of age who underwent tonsillectomy for the indication of recurrent tonsillitis and sleep apneas were eligible. Samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tonsillar tissue were tested for the presence of HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction and by p16 immunohistochemistry. Of the 71 tonsil samples, age range 20-65, none were positive for HPV DNA. Fifty-two FFPE specimens of tonsil with HPV-positive cancer tested positive by the same method served as positive controls. HPV DNA is rare in non-malignant tonsil tissues of young adults and adults who underwent tonsillectomy in the Galilee area. Further research should be done in larger cohorts.

Human Papillomavirus and Coronary Artery Disease in Climacteric Women: Is There an Association?

Background Cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death worldwide. Recent studies suggest that infection by some viruses, including the human papillomavirus (HPV), may increase the risk of developing atheromatous lesions on coronary arteries. However, there is a lack of data regarding the possible association between HPV infection and coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. Objective To investigate whether HPV infection is associated with the occurrence of CAD among climacteric women. Methods The presence of CAD and cervical HPV DNA was investigated in 52 climacteric women. Social and demographic variables and metabolic profiles were also investigated. Results Among 27 women with CAD, 16 were positive for HPV, whereas 11 were negative. The presence of cervical HPV was strongly associated with CAD, after adjusting for demographic variables, health and sexual behaviors, comorbidities, and known cardiovascular risk factors. HPV-positive women showed a greater likelihood of having CAD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16 to 11.96) as compared with HPV-negative women, particularly those infected with high-risk HPV types (OR = 4.90; 95% CI: 1.26 to 19.08). Conclusion These results support the hypothesis that HPV infection might be associated with CAD among climacteric women, though further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved.

Frequency Distribution of Various Oncogenes of Human Papillomavirus in Genital Cancerous Lesions in the City of Gorgan

Background: The high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been identified as one of the main causes of genital cancers over the recent years, therefore their accurate diagnosis plays an important role in controlling cancer and maintaining the community health. Objectives: Since a primary diagnosis of this virus is not possible through serologic methods and cell culture, the present study has been conducted with the aim to identify and determine the frequency of oncogenic types of HPV from paraffin block samples using PCR. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in 2017, a total amount of 97 genital samples coated in paraffin were collected from precancerous and cancerous lesions. Their DNA was extracted using special kits, and PCR and post PCR techniques were applied using specific primers. Results: 58 samples (59.8%) showed positive results in terms of the presence of HPV DNA, which indicated a high frequency for HPV. Moreover, 56.9% of HPV genotypes were classified under high-risk and 43.1% under low-risk categories, out of which HPV-16 (22.2%), HPV-11 (19%) and HPV-6 (12.7%) had the highest frequencies, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study show that HPV could be considered as the main factor responsible for the changes in genital tissues is men and women, which have the potential to develop cancer. Furthermore, the involvement of various types of this virus in creating simultaneous and multiple infections further emphasizes the significance of screening and constant control of this virus.