DETECTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS DNA-SEQUENCES IN CANCER OF THE URINARY-BLADDER BY IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Objective-To evaluate the prevalence of ''high risk'' human papillomav irus type 16 (HPV 16) in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bl adder. Materials and methods-The study included 10 biopsy specimens fr om male patients of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder for the detection of HPV DNA sequences. Specimens were collected from the Urology Clinic of the K.G. Medical College Hospital, Lucknow, Ind ia. Detection of HPV DNA was carried out by tissue in situ hybridisati on (a single copy gene localisation method) using 3H-labelled HPV DNA probe and also by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques using pri mers to HPV 16 upstream regulatory region (URR). Results-Out of 10 cas es of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, ''high risk' ' HPV 16 DNA was detected only in one (10%) by using in situ hybridisa tion whereas two cases (20%) were found to be positive by polymerase c hain reaction. Conclusion-Our results suggest that the rare occurrence of HPV in bladder carcinoma may not have a causal relation with the v iral infection.