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Detection of human papilloma virus in the tonsils of children undergoing tonsillectomy
Kátia Moreira Xavier Ribeiro1, Janaína Maria Alvez, Shirley S N Pignatari
1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Human papilloma virus (HPV) was not detected in the tonsils of 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy. This study suggests HPV does not commonly colonize the tonsils of healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) is linked to respiratory diseases and malignancies.
- Limited data exists on HPV prevalence in the upper respiratory tract of healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of HPV in the tonsils of children from the general population.
- To assess potential colonization of tonsils by HPV in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Tonsil samples were collected from 100 children scheduled for tonsillectomy.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with MY09/MY11 primers was used to detect HPV.
- Children with known HPV or HIV-related diseases were excluded.
Main Results:
- None of the 100 tonsil samples tested positive for HPV.
- No HPV colonization was detected in the tonsils of the studied pediatric cohort.
Conclusions:
- HPV does not appear to commonly colonize the tonsils of children undergoing routine tonsillectomy.
- Further research may be needed to confirm these findings in broader pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is related to respiratory mucosal diseases, such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, as well as to upper-respiratory-tract malignancies. There are few reports concerning the prevalence of HPV in the upper respiratory tract of non-affected individuals. We examined the prevalence of HPV in the tonsils of children of the general population scheduled for tonsillectomy. Samples were taken from the tonsils of 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy and were then tested for HPV with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, utilizing the generic primers MY09 and MY 11. The study excluded children known to have HPV and HIV-related diseases. Parents and legal guardians completed a standardized socio-demographic questionnaire. The questionnaire revealed that 84% of the mothers had at least one risk factor for genital HPV. None of the tonsil samples were positive for HPV. Apparently HPV does not commonly colonize the tonsils of children undergoing routine tonsillectomy.
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