Human papillomavirus in pterygium

Aim-To determine the prevalence and significance of human papillomaviral ty pes in conjunctival pterygia. Methods-Polymerase chain reaction technology was used to identify the prese nce of human papillomavirus (HPV) in 10 formalin fixed paraffin embedded pt erygia samples. 10 conjunctival papillomas were used as positive controls. 20 conjunctival samples, 10 with primary acquired melanosis and 10 with mal ignant melanoma, were used as negative controls. Sample subgroups were of e qual sex, race, and age distribution to eliminate bias. Ah samples were fur ther analysed (for 21 HPV types) using dot-blot hybridisation techniques, Results-HPV was identified in 90% of the conjunctival papillomas, 50% of th e pterygia samples, but no HPV was detected in the negative control group. Two pterygia showed type 6, two type 11, and one type 16. These three HPV t ypes were also detected in papillomas. Conclusion-These results suggest that HPV may be involved in the pathogenes is of pterygia and that broadly the same HPV types are found in pterygia an d in papillomas, Persistent conjunctival HPV may possibly play a part in th e recurrence of pterygia post excision but further larger studies are requi red to elucidate this hypothesis.