An audit of oral lesions associated with HPV infection in the Oral Pathology Department, Wits Oral Health Centre

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA tumour virus that has been increasingly seen in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. This virus belongs to the papillomaviridae family that infects epithelial cells exclusively. The clinical presentation and microscopic features of HPVassociated oral lesions vary depending on the specific genotype and the anatomical site involved. Aim: The study aimed to report on the oral lesions associated with HPV infection, histologically diagnosed in the Department of Oral Pathology at Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC). Methods: The study population comprised of 128 patient records of HPV associated oral lesions that were histologically diagnosed in the Oral Pathology Department. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out. Results: The results showed a strong association of HPV-associated oral lesions with age and HIV-status than with gender. The lesions were of a low risk HPV subtypes and focal epithelial hyperplasia was the most commonly occurring lesion. Conclusion: In light of the results from this study, it was evident that there was a strong association between occurrence of HPV-associated oral lesions with age and HIV-status of patient. In a country where HIV prevalence is alarmingly high, studies looking at association of HPV occurrence, HIV infection and demographics of the population needed to be investigated