HPV INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ORAL MUCOSA

Dr. Garima Srivastava*, Dr Yadvandra Yadav, Dr. Shilpi Singh, Dr. Mohit Wadhawan, Dr. Md. Shadab Kalim, and Dr Abhishek Sourabh

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV), small non enveloped DNA tumor virus , of papillomavirus family , causes genital warts, common warts, plantar warts and flat warts. Its frequency is about 9-13%. Oral mucosa may play significant role in HPV transmission and its persistent infection in the oral mucosa increase the risk of developing carcinoma. Regular and scrupulous examination of it is most important tool in detecting HPV-associated changes in the oral mucosae . HPV16 being the most prevalent genotype other being HPV 2, 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 32. HPV positivity occurs in vermilion border, hard palate, labial mucosa and labial commissures .According to biologic behavior there are various lesions associated with it .Benign lesions being squamous papilloma , verruca vulgaris ,condyloma acuminatum , focal epithelial hyperplasia and premalignant or malignant lesions are leukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma , lichen planus, verrucus carcinoma. HPV infection is constrained to the basal cells of stratified squamous epithelium, of the oral mucosa the only tissue in which it replicates. The accessible HPV vaccines cover the HPV genotypes found most commonly in the oral mucosa, but their defensive effect against oral cancer remains to be elucidated.

Keywords: HPV infection, oral mucosa, carcinoma, HPV vaccines.