Detection of human papillomavirus in dental biofilm and the uterine cervix of a pregnant adolescent

Abstract

CONTEXT: Adolescence and pregnancy are considered to be risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The relationship between this infection in the uterine cervix and oral HPV infection is controversial. CASE REPORT: This report describes a case of a pregnant 16-year-old adolescent who presented HPV infection in the uterine cervix and the mouth. Smears were collected from the cervix and the tongue/ palate. Dental biofilm samples were also collected. The microarray technique was used to detect HPV. The HPV 56 subtype was observed in the cervical smear and HPV 6 in dental biofilm. CONCLUSION: In this pregnant adolescent, HPV infection was present in both the cervix and the mouth, but the HPV subtypes infecting these two areas were different. RESUMO CONTEXTO:A adolescência e a gestação são consideradas fatores de risco para a infecção pelo papilomavírus humano (HPV). A relação entre essa infecção no colo do útero e na boca num mesmo paciente é controversa. RELATO DE CASO: Descrever o caso de uma adolescente grávida de 16 anos que apresentou a infecção pelo HPV no colo do útero e na boca. Esfregaços foram realizados no colo do útero e em língua/palato. Amostras de biofilme dental também foram coletadas. Para detectar o HPV, foi utilizada a técnica do microarranjo. O HPV 56 foi o subtipo encontrado no esfregaço cervical e o tipo HPV 6 no biofilme dental. CONCLUSÕES: Observamos, nessa adolescente grávida, a presença do HPV na boca e no colo do útero, mas os subtipos virais que infectavam essas duas regiões eram distintos. IMSc. Postgraduate Student,

Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus in Tonsil Tissue in Healthy Adults and Colocalization in Biofilm of Tonsillar Crypts

“…20 Dental biofilm itself has also been shown to harbor the HPV virus, which may contribute to the development of periodontitis and perpetuate infection with HPV. 21 If biofilm is indeed a reservoir of HPV, these factors may also facilitate the ability of HPV to reinfect tonsil epithelia, which may increase risk of malignant transformation. 22 We therefore evaluated the prevalence of HPV in tumor-free tonsil tissue of healthy adults, and we hypothesize that biofilm in the crypts of tonsil tissue act as a reservoir for HPV.…”

“…This was associated with a nearly 4-fold increased risk of HPV-positive tumor status with every millimeter of alveolar bone loss . Dental biofilm itself has also been shown to harbor the HPV virus, which may contribute to the development of periodontitis and perpetuate infection with HPV …”