Oral-genital HPV infection transmission, concordance of HPV genotypes and genital lesions among spouses/ partners of patients diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): a scoping review

Access to adolescent-responsive oral, mental, sexual, and reproductive healthcare services in Africa through dental clinics

In many healthcare systems, oral healthcare is provided separately from other clinical services. For 10-19-year-old adolescents in particular, this separation of care perpetuates the underutilization of oral health services and the neglect of oral health. Available evidence indicates that there are interconnections between oral, mental, sexual, and reproductive health (OMSRH) in adolescents. For African countries, there are opportunities to draw on lessons learned from HIV-centered models of integrated care to develop and evaluate dental clinic-centered models for integrating adolescent OMSRH services. This article makes a case for evidence-based adolescent OMSRH service integration in African countries. Integration is expected to align with the principles of sustainable development goals, universal healthcare, and the World Health Organization's calls for adolescent-responsive health services. We present a conceptual framework and propose an implementation science-guided blueprint for the integration of adolescent OMSRH care. The focus on dental clinics for integration can potentially increase access to, and use of oral healthcare while addressing adolescents' mental, sexual and reproductive health needs. OMSRH integration for adolescents in African settings will require intensive engagement of adolescents and other crucial stakeholders. Further exploratory and implementation research is also needed to design and evaluate OMSRH integration models to establish best practices for long-term impact on adolescent health outcomes.

HPV infection incidence and genotype distribution among male patients visiting outpatient departments in Huizhou from 2014 to 2023

BACKGROUND

There have been no previous studies on male HPV infection in the Huizhou region. This research aims to investigate the HPV infection rate and genotype distribution among male patients in this area, offering valuable insights for developing targeted preventive strategies against HPV infection in male population.

METHODS

This study included 1009 male patients from Huizhou Central People's Hospital who underwent HPV genotype testing between 2014 and 2023. We analyzed the distribution of HPV genotypes by year, age group, and diagnosis. Additionally, clinical data from 308 HPV-positive patients were retrospectively collected, and differences in high-risk vs. low-risk types, single vs. multiple infections, and genotype correlations were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall HPV positivity rate was 30.53%, with the positive rate(40.56%) in the 2014-2019 group being significantly higher than that in 2021 (25.56%) and 2022 (24.29%)(p<0.05). The most common genotypes were HPV6, HPV52, HPV11, and HPV16. HPV infection was most prevalent in the 41-50 age group, while males aged ≤ 30 were predominantly infected with low-risk types (41.73%). The 31-40 age group had a higher prevalence of high-risk types (52.07%), with males under 50 primarily infected with low-risk HPV6, while those aged 51 and above mostly had high-risk HPV52 infections. The highest HPV positivity rate was found in the viral wart group (79.01%). Single infections were more common (64.29%), with co-infection of HPV6 and HPV16 being the most prevalent type.

CONCLUSION

The overall HPV infection rate was relatively high among outpatient male patients in Huizhou, with single infections being predominant. Additionally, HPV infection rates exhibited significant differences across various years, age groups, and diagnostic types, suggesting that these factors should be considered when formulating HPV prevention and control strategies.

Human Papillomavirus: A Narrative Review for Dental Providers in Prevention and Care

(1) Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant public health concern associated with various cancers, including a rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Despite the availability of effective vaccines targeting high-risk HPV types, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to HPV prevention through education, vaccination advocacy, and early detection. (2) Methods: This narrative review synthesized the literature from 2006 to 2024 on HPV epidemiology, pathophysiology, vaccine efficacy, and the role of dental providers in HPV prevention. Sources included peer-reviewed articles listed in Pubmed and Google Scholar, including observational studies and review articles, guidelines, clinical trials, and governmental data. Key barriers to HPV-related care in dental practice and strategies for overcoming them were analyzed. (3) Results: The review underscores the critical role of dentists in HPV-related disease prevention, highlighting their ability to detect HPV-related lesions, promote vaccine uptake, and address patient concerns. Barriers such as limited knowledge, discomfort discussing HPV, and misinformation were identified. Strategies like incorporating HPV education into dental training, utilizing emerging diagnostic tools, and adopting effective communication approaches can enhance the role of dental professionals in reducing HPV-associated cancer risks. (4) Conclusion: By integrating HPV education, vaccination advocacy, and early detection into routine dental care, dental professionals can play a transformative role in public health. A dental provider's endorsement can increase HPV vaccine uptake and help prevent oral cancer. These efforts align with broader health promotion goals, offering a significant opportunity to reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancers and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Association of HPV with Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Current Evidence

Oral cancer is a significant worldwide health issue which has an annual incidence of over 377,000 new cases. It was historically associated with tobacco and alcohol use, but recent research has also emphasized the role of human papilloma virus (HPV), specifically types 16 and 18, to the development of oropharyngeal malignancies. Human papilloma virus, a common sexually transmitted infection, impacts approximately 9-13% of the worldwide population. Currently, there have been 202 recognized virus types associated with HPV. HPV-positive oral cancers have different clinical and molecular features compared to HPV-negative ones. The HPV-positive tumors tend to better respond to radiation and chemotherapy treatments. This review compiles findings from an extensive literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar. It highlights the growing occurrence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal malignancies, especially among younger age groups, in different regions of the world. There has been a noticeable increase in the occurrence of these tumors, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. The rates of HPV infection are influenced by factors such as inadequate oral hygiene, sexual habits and gender differences. The research emphasizes the necessity for enhanced diagnostic methods, such as PCR-based assays, and shows the potential advantages of HPV vaccination and public health education in reducing the increasing cancer burden. Conducting additional research is crucial in order to create efficient methods for preventing and treating these conditions.

Single-cell integrated transcriptomics reveals the role of keratinocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HNSCC and identifying prognostic markers and therapeutic targets are crucial for improving patient outcomes. In this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data to comprehensively analyze HNSCC at the cellular level. We identified keratinocytes as the predominant cell type in tumor samples, suggesting their potential role in HNSCC development. Through hdWGCNA co-expression network analysis, we identified gene modules associated with HNSCC progression. Furthermore, we constructed a prognostic model based on specific genes and demonstrated its robust predictive performance in multiple datasets. The model exhibited strong correlations with immune cell infiltration patterns and signaling pathways related to tumor progression. Additionally, drug sensitivity analysis revealed potential chemotherapeutic targets for HNSCC treatment. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular characteristics and immune microenvironment of HNSCC, offering new perspectives for prognosis prediction and therapeutic interventions in clinical practice. Further research is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings, ultimately improving patient outcomes in HNSCC.

Analogies between HPV Behavior in Oral and Vaginal Cavity: Narrative Review on the Current Evidence in the Literature

Human genital papilloma virus infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the world. It is estimated that more than 75% of sexually active women contract this infection in their lifetime. In 80% of young women, there is the clearance of the virus within 18-24 months. In developed countries, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is now the most frequent human papilloma virus (HPV)-related cancer, having surpassed cervical cancer, and it is predicted that by 2030 most squamous cell carcinomas will be the HPV-related rather than non-HPV-related form. However, there are currently no screening programs for oral cavity infection. While the natural history of HPV infection in the cervix is well known, in the oropharynx, it is not entirely clear. Furthermore, the prevalence of HPV in the oropharynx is unknown. Published studies have found wide-ranging prevalence estimates of 2.6% to 50%. There are also conflicting results regarding the percentage of women presenting the same type of HPV at two mucosal sites, ranging from 0 to 60%. Additionally, the question arises as to whether oral infection can develop from genital HPV infection, through oral and genital contact or by self-inoculation, or whether it should be considered an independent event. However, there is still no consensus on these topics, nor on the relationship between genital and oral HPV infections. Therefore, this literature review aims to evaluate whether there is evidence of a connection between oral and cervical HPV, while also endorsing the usefulness of the screening of oral infection in patients with high-risk cervical HPV as a means of facilitating the diagnosis and early management of HPV-related oral lesions. Finally, this review emphasizes the recommendation for the use of the HPV vaccines in primary prevention in the male and female population as the most effective means of successfully counteracting the increasing incidence of OSCC to date.