Detection of herpes simplex virus and candida infection with special emphasis on their possible role in human squamous cell carcinoma and its variants

ABSTRACT

Sixty seven cases of human oral S.C.C. with its intra oral variances were investigated microbiologically, histopathologically, histochemically and immunologically. Yeasts were isolated from 85% of examined cases. "Candifast test" showed that Candida albicans was the commonest form of the detected fungi, followed by C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis, while the least in frequency was the Torulopsis glabrata. Yeasts were more detected in females, elders and tobacco smokers. Two cases of well differentiated S.C.C were surprisingly detected, and for the first time in literature, associated with a specific granulomatous reaction and showed positively impregnated fungi. While negative reactions for fungi were noticed in all lymphoepitheliomas, almost all the verrucous carcinoma were positive. Viral inclusion bodies were demonstrated for the first time by MT. This method was rapid, economic and could be used as a pilot study before applying the more specific monoclonal. antibody techniques or in-situ hybridization methods. Comparing the results of HSV hybridization with that of candida infection we found that both could be detected in some cases. The results indicate that viral and fungal factors may be synergetic in the development of oral carcinomas