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Abnormal cytology in oropharyngeal brushings and in oral rinses is not associated with HPV infection: The OHMAR study
Author(s) -
Benevolo Maria,
Rollo Francesca,
Giuliani Massimo,
Pichi Barbara,
Latini Alessandra,
Pellini Raul,
Vescio Maria Fenicia,
Morrone Aldo,
Cristaudo Antonio,
Donà Maria Gabriella
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cancer cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.29
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1934-6638
pISSN - 1934-662X
DOI - 10.1002/cncy.22295
Subject(s) - medicine , cytology , asymptomatic , papanicolaou stain , odds ratio , papillomaviridae , mouth rinse , human papillomavirus , logistic regression , hpv infection , ascus (bryozoa) , cancer , cervical cancer , pathology , dentistry , botany , ascospore , spore , biology
Background No screening is available for human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated oropharyngeal cancers. The authors investigated whether cytology may be used as a screening tool and whether oral HPV infection is associated with cytologic abnormalities detected in oropharyngeal brushings and in oral rinse‐and‐gargle specimens from asymptomatic individuals at increased risk for oral HPV infection. Methods Specimens were collected from men who have sex with men at 6‐month intervals. Oropharyngeal samples and oral rinse‐and‐gargle specimens were collected using a cytobrush and mouthwash, respectively. Exfoliated cells were dispersed in PreservCyt. Liquid‐based slides were stained with Papanicolaou. An HPV genotyping test using a linear array was used for HPV detection. Associations with abnormal cytology were investigated using logistic regression. Results Overall, 631 brushings and 802 rinses collected from 310 individuals were evaluated; of these specimens, 2 brushings (0.3%) and 10 rinses (1.2%) were inadequate for morphologic evaluation. Of the adequate samples, 35 of 629 brushings (5.5%) and 19 of 792 rinses (2.4%) were abnormal. No associations of high‐risk HPVs or HPV‐16 infection with cytologic abnormalities were observed for oropharyngeal brushings (high‐risk HPVs: odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% CI, 0.41‐3.50; P = .75; HPV‐16: OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.10‐5.84; P = .79) or for oral rinses (high‐risk HPVs: OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.26‐4.98; P = .87; HPV‐16: OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.04‐10.60; P = .74). Concurrent moderate/heavy drinking and smoking significantly increased the risk of cytologic abnormalities in the brushings (hazard ratio, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.15‐20.43; P = .03). Conclusions Oral HPV infection by high‐risk HPVs and HPV‐16 does not confer an increased risk of cytologic abnormalities in oropharyngeal brushings and oral rinses. Abnormal cytology seems to be associated with smoking and drinking habits.