RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of human papillomavirus [HPV] 16/18 in oral squamous cell carcinoma [OSCC] and normal oral mucosa in Iranian individuals with OSCC and their association with various risk factors. The investigation followed a hospital-based case-control design. Cases were individuals with diagnosed OSCC, age- and sex-matched with controls. Sixty-six paraffin embedded tissue samples [39 OSCC and 27normal oral mucosa] were studied. DNA was purified to amplify HPV-DNA using HPV type specific primers-mediated polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method. Mean age was 64.2 +/-14 years in cases [range 25-81 years], and 63.5 +/-13.5 years in controls [range 22-78 years]. Forty-three percent [17/39] of OSCC but none of normal oral mucosa were positive for HPV 16/18 DNA [p = 0.001]. The most frequent type in patient group was HPV-16 type. The prevalence rate was high older in age [>50 years] and gender [male] and tongue tissue but no significant association was found [p=0.7, p=0.5 and p=0.42 respectively]. We found a significant association of HPV16/18 with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Also, HPV16/18 is a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis. In addition, also it is suggested that HPV is as a risk factor independent of alcohol and tobacco can be effective in creating OSCC