Assessment of HPV screening methods and sample storage in oral lichen planus lesions

Abstract

Aim: We investigated the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA distribution in oral lichen planus (OLP) samples using non-invasive methods, with the potential for much broader population screening. Methods: Three different non-invasive collection methods (dry storage, lysis buffer preservation, and use of a commercial tool to rake epithelial cells and immersion of the collection device into the provided rinse solution) were evaluated. HPV DNA was detected in brushed or scraped samples of the lesion site using a commercial HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction kit. Results: In the group of patients with OLP lesions, HPV was detected significantly more frequently than in the healthy control group (lysis buffer for control = 2.1%, p = 0.046; DNA•SAL™ rinse solution for control = 4.2%, p = 0.0003; dry storage for control = 6.3%, p = 0.0001) regardless of the different collection and preservation methods. HPV DNA was detected in 12.85% of the samples preserved in lysis buffer. HPV DNA was detected in 34.28% (p = 0.0048 vs. lysis buffer) of samples preserved in the DNA•SAL rinse solution. In the case of dry storage, HPV DNA was detected in 38.57% (p = 0.0008 vs. lysis buffer and p = 0.726 vs. DNA•SAL) of samples. Conclusion: The results suggest that the most effective sample preservation methods are provided by dry storage or DNA•SAL collection compared to lysis buffer. Our findings indicated that HPV DNA detection in superficial OLP scrapings has potential as a screening tool and has important applications for both research and clinical practice.