Identificação de subtipos de HPV em amostras da Clínica Dentária Universitária

Abstract

Introduction: The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) plays an important role in the development of cancer, in particular oral and other head and neck cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of HPV and to identify the different subtypes found in saliva samples from patients at the University Dental Clinic, in order to contribute to the identification of malignant and pre-malignant lesions in the oral cavity at an early stage. Materials and Methods: This study consists of a cross-sectional observational study. A questionnaire was developed with the intention of determining the risk factors associated with HPV infection in patients at the University Dental Clinic. A convenience sample of saliva from patients of the University Dental Clinic, over the age of 18, was used to validate the HPV genotyping protocol in saliva. Samples were collected in accordance with the protocols developed at SalivaTec. PCR was used to identify viral DNA in the samples. Results: A total of 86 saliva samples from patients between the ages of 21 and 78, of both genders, were analysed. Patients with well-differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and reticular oral lichen planus were negative for HPV. In healthy patients, two samples were positive for the infection by HPV, making up 2.3% of all the samples tested. These samples were negative for the high-risk HPV subtypes 16 and 18. The sequencing results were inconclusive as to which HPV subtype was present in these samples. Conclusion: The use of saliva as a means of diagnosis and screening for HPV, despite having several advantages, still lacks clinical application due to the lack of consensus on the protocols used to collect and analyse the samples. The detection of human papiloma virus infection is essencial for the identification and early diagnosis of malignant and pre-malignant lesions, resulting in better management and treatment of cancer associated with HPV infection. The use of saliva as a means of diagnosis and screening for HPV, despite its many advantages, still has no clinical application due to the lack of consensus on the protocols used to collect and analyse the samples.

Date of Award	12 Sept 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Raquel Silva (Supervisor) & Patrícia Couto (Co-Supervisor)