[Detection of the human papillomavirus in hyperplastic and cancerous prostatic tissue with PCR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are frequently associated with benign, pre-malignant and malignant lesions of the female genital region and male anogenital tract. Recently several studies have been performed to evaluate the presence of HPV in the adenomatous and carcinomatous prostatic tissue for the epidemiological implications due to the sexual transmission, and for the possible etiologic role in the development of prostatic carcinoma, first cause of death from neoplasia in men over 60 years in the developed countries. The role of HPV is still controversial since some authors evidenced the virus in prostatic tissue others did not detect its presence. We investigate the presence of HPV in 60 prostatic benign hyperplasias and in 5 prostatic carcinomas in surgically resected prostates by PCR technique using consensus and type specific primers. The analyzed specimens were negative for HPV DNA, although appropriate amplimers were present for beta-globin and positive controls. We therefore conclude that HPV infections are not commonly found in the human prostate.