Detection of Salivary Human Papilloma Viruses 16 and 18 (HPV) in Smoker Men in an Iranian Population by PCR: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the oropharynx is acquired through a variety of sexual and social forms of transmission. Recent epidemiologic evidence has suggested that HPV may be an independent risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers, but risk factors for persistent HPV infection in the oropharynx are unknown. More evidence is needed regarding the prevalence of oral high-risk HPV among healthy smoker and nonsmoker adults. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare salivary infection with human papilloma virus types 16 and 18 between smokers and nonsmokers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A hundred healthy adult subjects were selected from Zahedan dental school for this pilot study. DNA was isolated from saliva samples and screened for high-risk HPV strains of HPV 16 and 18. Then, further processed using Real Time PCR for quantification and confirmation of sensitivity and specificity of the test. Data was analyzed by t-test. RESULTS: There were no high-risk types of virus in patients and no significant differences between the groups (P = 1). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that smoking cannot increase the prevalence of high risk HPV 16, 18 in saliva samples.