Detection of human papilloma virus DNA sequences in oral squamous cell papillomas by the polymerase chain reaction.

Nineteen clinically diagnosed, and histologically confirmed oral squamous cell papillomas were analyzed for the presence of human papilloma virus DNA sequence by the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction technique, followed by dot blot hybridization of the polymerase chain reaction product with digoxigenin-labeled, type-specific oligonucleotide probes for human papilloma virus DNA types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Human papilloma virus DNA types 6 and 11 were identified in 68% of these oral lesions, which raises the possibility of an etiologic role for human papilloma virus in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell papillomas.