Boy, Sonja CatharinaJanse van Rensburg, EstrelitaEngelbrecht, SusanDreyer, LeonoraVan Heerden, Marlene B.Van Heerden, Willem Francois Petrus2007-06-152007-06-152006-02Boy, S, Janse van Rensburg, E, Engelbrecht, S, Dreyer, L, Van Heerden, M & Van Heerden, W 2006, 'HPV detection in primary intra-oral squamous cell carcinomas – commensal, aetiological agent or contamination?', Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 86-90. [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/jop]0904-251210.1111/j.1600-0714.2006.00385.xhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2736Background: High-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) are reported to be significant independent risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The prevalence of HPV in OSCC in a South African population sample was evaluated comparing three different HPV detection methods. Methods: Tumour and adjacent morphologically normal oral mucosa of 59 resections of primary OSCC were evaluated for the presence of HPV using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), conventional in situ hybridization (ISH), and a signal amplification ISH technique (Dako GenPointTM). Results: HPV18 DNA was detected in seven cases using real-time PCR. No positivity was found with the other two ISH techniques. Conclusions: We support the view that HPV is probably unimportant in the pathogenesis of OSCC and hypothesize HPV detection techniques as the main reason for the positive results in many studies. Real-time PCR was confirmed as the most sensitive technique, but researchers are urged to incorporate strict internal controls when using this detection method.120713 bytesapplication/pdfenThe definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comHuman papillomavirus (HPV)Intra-oral squamous cell carcinomaOral cancerReal-time PCROral neoplasmsPapillomavirusesIn situ hybridizationSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC)Mouth -- CancerPolymerase chain reactionPostprint Article