HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN CORNEAL AND CONJUNCTIVAL CARCINOMA

Purpose: To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 , 11, 16 and 18 in corneal and conjunctival carcinoma, we examined 88 dysplastic corneal and conjunctival specimens and 66 controls that had been formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Methods: Sections were gra ded for histological abnormality by light microscopy and the presence of HPV DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction using LI consen sus primers. Results: Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 34 (39% ) dysplasias and in five (7.5%) controls. Of dysplasias that were HPV- positive, 20 (59%) contained either types 16 or 18, 13 (38%) contained only types 6/11,while combinations of HPV types were present in I I ( 32%). A histological correlation was found with HPV positivity (all ge notypes) and unusually large ('epithelioid') dysplastic cells. Conclus ion: The present study demonstrates a lower incidence of HPV in cornea l and conjunctival carcinoma than previously reported, but shows an un expectedly high incidence of HPV 6/11 in conjunctival carcinomas.