PRESENCE OF HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA

Background: In a previous study the human papillomavirus DNA was detec ted in seven cases of so-called idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatit is by using nested polymerase chain reaction, The purpose of the prese nt study was to study the prevalence and possible common causes of hum an papillomavirus-associated idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis and extrahepatic biliary atresia. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-em bedded archival tissues obtained in 18 cases of extrahepatic biliary a tresia were studied for human papillomavirus DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction. In addition, in situ hybridization was performed on ti ssue obtained in 6 cases. Results: Tissue in 16 of the 18 cases studie d showed amplified human papillomavirus DNA, whereas no human papillom avirus was amplified in any of 30 control samples. Main human papillom aviruses detected were types 6 and Is. Punctate intranuclear positive signals were detected in the hepatocytes after in situ hybridization f or human papillomavirus DNA. Conclusions: The high prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA in liver tissue in cases of extrahepatic biliary a tresia suggests a strong correlation between this disorder and idiopat hic neonatal giant cell hepatitis. It further suggests thar this: viru s may be one of the causative agents in extrahepatic biliary atresia a nd may represent part of the spectrum of lesions associated with neona tal human papillomavirus-induced hepatic damage.