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Presence of human papillomavirus in extrahepatic biliary atresia
Insights
Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was prevalent in 16 of 18 extrahepatic biliary atresia cases, suggesting a link to neonatal giant cell hepatitis. This virus may be a cause of biliary atresia and neonatal liver damage.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Previous studies detected human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis.
- Idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis and extrahepatic biliary atresia are serious infant liver conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of HPV DNA in extrahepatic biliary atresia.
- To explore potential common causes linking HPV-associated neonatal hepatitis and biliary atresia.
Main Methods:
- Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HPV DNA in 18 archival cases of extrahepatic biliary atresia.
- In situ hybridization was performed on 6 of these cases to localize HPV DNA within liver tissues.
Main Results:
- HPV DNA was detected in 16 out of 18 (89%) extrahepatic biliary atresia cases.
- HPV types 6 and 18 were the most common types identified.
- In situ hybridization revealed punctate intranuclear signals in hepatocytes, indicating HPV DNA presence.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of HPV DNA in extrahepatic biliary atresia suggests a strong association with neonatal giant cell hepatitis.
- HPV is implicated as a potential causative agent in extrahepatic biliary atresia.
- This finding suggests HPV-induced liver damage may present as a spectrum of neonatal liver diseases, including biliary atresia.
Background:
In a previous study the human papillomavirus DNA was detected in seven cases of so-called idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis by using nested polymerase chain reaction. The purpose of the present study was to study the prevalence and possible common causes of human papillomavirus-associated idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis and extrahepatic biliary atresia.
Methods:
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues obtained in 18 cases of extrahepatic biliary atresia were studied for human papillomavirus DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction. In addition, in situ hybridization was performed on tissue obtained in 6 cases.
Results:
Tissue in 16 of the 18 cases studied showed amplified human papillomavirus DNA, whereas no human papillomavirus was amplified in any of 30 control samples. Main human papillomaviruses detected were types 6 and 18. Punctate intranuclear positive signals were detected in the hepatocytes after in situ hybridization for human papillomavirus DNA.
Conclusions:
The high prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA in liver tissue in cases of extrahepatic biliary atresia suggests a strong correlation between this disorder and idiopathic neonatal giant cell hepatitis. It further suggests that this virus may be one of the causative agents in extrahepatic biliary atresia and may represent part of the spectrum of lesions associated with neonatal human papillomavirus-induced hepatic damage.