Expression of human papillomavirus 16 and 18 DNA in oral lichen planus using polymerase chain reaction

Introduction: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with cell-mediated immune dysregulation. The aetiology of OLP has been studied extensively for decades. Viruses like Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and stress have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OLP. HPV has been proved to be an etiological agent in oropharyngeal cancers and non-tobacco-associated leukoplakia. The role of human papillomavirus in the pathogenesis of OLP has to be studied extensively. Aim: This study aims to detect the presence of HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA in the biopsy samples of OLP and also to determine the role played by the virus in the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OLP. Materials and Methods: Biopsy samples comprising 30 OLP tissues were collected. The DNA was extracted by the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method. Polymerase chain reaction was performed by using general primers to amplify the HPV E6 gene. Results: Twelve out of 30 (40%) OLP cases were positive for HPV DNA. A significant relation was found between HPV, site (buccal mucosa) and the type (reticular) of the lesion (P = 0.007). However, the difference between the percentage of HPV positive males and females was statistically insignificant (P = 0.852). Conclusion: This study confirmed the presence of high-risk HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA in OLP. The study showed a significantly higher expression of HPV in erosive OLP when compared to reticular OLP, suggesting a possible role of HPV in the malignant transformation of OLP.