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Investigation of a Broad-Spectrum PCR Assay for Human Papillomaviruses in Screening Benign Lesions of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

Background: A variety of different human papillomavirus (HPV) types can be found in benign and malignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Therefore a broad-spectrum assay is needed for screening reasons. Methods: A PCR system with degenerate consensus primers originating from a very conserved region (e.g. L1) of the HPV genome was applied. The sensitivity level was improved by combining PCR and nested PCR. Results: A total of 27 biopsies from laryngeal papillomas (9), exophytic (3) and inverted (6) papillomas of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, papillomas of the uvula or soft palate (5), leukoplakias of the larynx (2), seborrheic keratosis (1) and granulation tumor of the tongue (1) were analyzed by the broad-spectrum PCR system. Sixteen cases showed a positive result in either PCR or nested PCR or both. Conclusions: It was shown that the applied broad-spectrum PCR system is a reliable tool in the detection of HPV DNA in benign lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract.