日本性感染症学会誌 Journal of Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections

In this study, we reviewed the risk factors for oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, association between oral HPV infection and periodontitis, and oral cancers based on results of recent epidemiologic and basic studies. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the association between sexual behavior and oral HPV infection, and a significant association was found between oral sex and oral HPV infection. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers had a higher risk for oral HPV infection. Smokers with persistent infection were at high risk for HPV, which may involve oral cancer development. HPV DNA and periodontopathic bacteria were found in the periodontal pockets; therefore, oral HPV infection is associated with periodontitis. HPV16 DNA was detected in many oral epithelial dysplasia cases that progressed to oral squamous cell carcinoma, indicating that HPV16 is a vital player in the malignant phenotype acquisition in the early stage of oral cancer development. Additionally, episomal HPV DNA may be involved in the malignant transformation.