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The role of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and oral cavity carcinoma (OC) is still under debate. We investigated HPV16 prevalence in unstimulated saliva, oral rinse samples, oral swabs and tumour biopsies collected from OPMD (n = 83) and OC (n = 106) patients. HPV16 genotype, viral load, physical status (episomal vs. integrated) and tumour p16INK4a expression were determined. Oral HPV16 prevalence was higher in OC than in OPMD, but this difference was not statistically significant (7.5% (8/106) versus 3.6% (3/83), odds ratio (OR): 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56, 8.48, p = 0.26). There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between oral HPV16 infection and heavy tobacco consumption. Real-time PCR results indicated that no integration events occurred in either OPMD or OC cases based on the HPV16 E2/E6 ratio. HPV16 positive OPMD and OC patients had similar HPV16 E2 and E6 viral loads. The inter-rater agreement between tumour p16INK4a expression and oral HPV16 infection was considered as fair (k = 0.361) for OC. Our data suggest that the involvement of HPV16 in oral carcinogenesis is limited.

A 34 year old woman reported for evaluation of generalized gingival swelling pain and bleeding. The patient also reported menstrual irregularities. Based on the oral and systemic examinations and hematological investigations, a provisional diagnosis of ‘menstrual cycle associated gingivitis’ was made. The patient was referred for a gynecologic consultation. At the three-week dental recall, a worsening of gingival overgrowth with a necrotic component was noted. The hematologic investigations revealed markedly elevated leukocyte counts. The clinical and hematological findings led us to a diagnosis of leukemia. This report emphasizes the importance of the dentist as well as the physician (in this case, the gynecologist) in correlating the oral, systemic and hematological findings in the diagnosis and also of regular recall in the management of a case.