Human papilloma viruses in the human hypopharynx.

The possible association of human papilloma viruses (HPV) with laryngopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is under investigation. Recent work suggests regional differences in the prevalence of HPV infection in the hypopharynx. The present study investigates the prevalence of HPV in tissue obtained from a series of piriform fossae. Piriform fossa epithelium was harvested from 12 autopsy cases free of local disease. DNA was obtained by SDS/Proteinase K digestion. Evidence of HPV infection was documented by the polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers complementary to sequences in the E6 region of HPV types 11, 16 and 18. All the specimens were positive for beta-globin. HPV11 was isolated from two patients. None were positive for HPV16 or HPV18. An 18% prevalence rate for HPV11 in the normal human hypopharynx was found.