HPV Prevalence in a Multi-ethnic Screening Population

Abstract

Objective: For optimal feasibility using saliva rinse screening of HPV for head and neck cancer (HNC), the prevalence should be 5% or higher in the population screened. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HPV16 infection in a screening population in Detroit, MI.

Method: Real time quantitative PCR was applied to detect HPV16 in saliva DNA from 349 screening subjects without HNC, 157 HNC, and 19 controls. Cut points for HPV positivity were: >0 and >0.001 copy/cell. Proportions were compared between groups using exact chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate (set at P < .05).

Results: At cut point >0, each group had an overall HPV prevalence of over 5%, with a much higher prevalence of 31.2% in the HNC patient group. At cut point >0.001, the prevalence was lower in each group, 0% in the control, 1.2% in the screening, and 17.2% in the HNC group. At >0, females in the screening group had a higher prevalence of HPV than males (P = .010), and at >0.001, prevalence was higher for males in the HNC group than females (P = .043). In the screening group, at >0, only AA had higher prevalence than CA (P = .025).

Conclusion: In the screening group, a 5% and 1.2% screening rate was noted at cut-points >0 and >0.001, respectively. The results provide data to inform public health considerations of the feasibility of saliva as a screening tool in at-risk populations with the long term goal of prophylactic vaccination against oral HPV.