Materials & Methods: HPV infectivity was determined histopathologically by observing Koilocytosis and molecularly by conducting PCR using HPV consensus primers. HPV genotyping was then carried out using the HPV genotyping PCR assay technique. The samples were further evaluated for the presence IFNÝ and its proximal promoter -179 SNP by carrying out PCR and RFLP analysis.
Results: Out of 95 patients samples HPV was detected in 78% cases, out of whom 74% were associated with HPV16, 4% with HPV 18, 15% were co infected with HPV 16 and 18, and 7% were positive for HPV by the general primer and could not be type specified. Out of the 95 samples IFNÝ was detected in 30%. However out of the total 74 HPV infected samples about 36% were positive for IFNÝ . RFLP results showed -179 G allele (GG) to be the prevalent type being present in 72% samples, while the T allele (GT) was observed in only 21% samples. Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of type 16 HPV in our patients. A considerable number of HPV infected OSCC patients express INFÝ and the proximal promoter SNP at -179 position is detectable in Pakistani OSCC patient, the prevalent allele being -179G allele. The prevalence of -179G allele makes the Pakistani population more susceptible to HPV associated carcinogensis.