Work

HPV Prevalence in a Multi‐ethnic Screening Population

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Objective For optimal feasibility using saliva rinse screening of HPV for head and neck cancer (HNC), the prevalence should be 5% or higher in the population screened. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HPV16 infection in a screening population in Detroit, MI. Method Real time quantitative PCR was applied to detect HPV16 in saliva DNA from 349 screening subjects without HNC, 157 HNC, and 19 controls. Cut points for HPV positivity were: >0 and >0.001 copy/cell. Proportions were compared between groups using exact chi‐square or Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate (set at P <. 05). Results At cut point >0, each group had an overall HPV prevalence of over 5%, with a much higher prevalence of 31.2% in the HNC patient group. At cut point >0.001, the prevalence was lower in each group, 0% in the control, 1.2% in the screening, and 17.2% in the HNC group. At >0, females in the screening group had a higher prevalence of HPV than males (P =. 010), and at >0.001, prevalence was higher for males in the HNC group than females (P =. 043). In the screening group, at >0, only AA had higher prevalence than CA (P =. 025). Conclusion In the screening group, a 5% and 1.2% screening rate was noted at cut‐points >0 and >0.001, respectively. The results provide data to inform public health considerations of the feasibility of saliva as a screening tool in at‐risk populations with the long term goal of prophylactic vaccination against oral HPV.

Source: Otolaryngology

DOI: 10.1177/0194599812451438a74