Role of Human Papillomavirus Infection in the Development of Prostate Carcinoma and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with benign and malignant lesions of the female and male anogenital tract. Currently, the possible role of HPV infections in prostate carcinogenesis is a subject of great controversy. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of HPV infections as a risk factor in the development of prostatic carcinoma. Study Design: Case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, between January 2013 and December 2015. Methodology: Qualitative detection of the HPV DNA was performed in 85 Saudi prostatic carcinoma (PC) male patients. They were compared to 55 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 15 normal controls. Results: The positivity of HPV DNA was significantly higher in patients with PC (25.9%) compared to the control group (0%) (P = .026). The HPV DNA positivity was higher in patients with PC than in BPH patients but with non-significant difference. Conclusion: The present study reveals that the presence of HPV DNA in the prostatic tissue was associated with a higher incidence of PC. HPV DNA was also associated with a relatively high risk of BPH. Further studies are recommended to disclose the association between HPV infection and BPH.