Irena Duś-Ilnicka

Introduction In recent years, interest in human papillomavirus infections as a causative factor in epithelial cancer development has grown. Literature indicates that HPV involvement in malignant transformations in oral mucosa can vary significantly, from 0 up to 87%. The aim of our study was to detect the prevalence of salivary HPV infection among generally healthy adults. Materials and Methods The examination involved 139 patients, from whom 139 whole, 1.5ml saliva samples were obtained. HPV DNA was detected by the nested PCR technique. To visualize the PCR products electrophoresis reactions were carried out. Results Sample analysis showed that DNA for HPV was detected in 14 patients: 11 positive results were obtained from men, and 3 from women. This yields a high infection rate: 10.07%. Conclusions The HPV prevalence in the male group was more than twice as high as in the female group. Also, subclinical oral HPV infection was detected more frequently in young (19–39 years old) and older (=>60 years old) adults.