The association between high‐risk human papillomavirus and oral lichen planus

OBJECTIVES: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a cell‐mediated inflammatory mucosal disorder and is classified as an oral potentially malignant disorder. Some research has shown that apoptosis in OLP cells is similar to a viral infection such as human papillomavirus (HPV). So, the aim of this case‐control study was to investigate the association of high‐risk HPV with OLP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DNA was extracted from 25 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) OLP tissues and 25 FFPE normal oral tissues as case and control groups, respectively. The presence of high‐risk HPV16 and HPV18 DNA was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). p‐value<.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Twelve samples (48%) of OLPs were positive for HPV16, compared with six samples (24%) of controls; although the difference was not significant, it was borderline (p = .07). Three samples (12%) of OLPs were positive for HPV18 compared with one sample (4%) of controls; the difference was not significant (p = .3). The total frequency of both high‐risk HPV were 14 samples (56%) of OLPs and 7 samples (28%) of controls; there was a significant association between the high‐risk HPV and OLP (p = .04). High‐risk HPVs was more prevalent in erosive‐atrophic (EA) form of OLP as compared to non‐EA form, although the difference was not significant (p = .13). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a significant association between high‐risk HPVs and OLP.