Detection Rate of Human Papilloma Virus Genotype 16 / 18 infections in Brain Tissues from a group of Iraqi Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme: An In Situ Hybridization Study.

<ns3:p>Background Over 450 human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes have been identified, with high-risk HPV-16 and -18 linked to head, neck, and central nervous system (CNS) cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Objective This study assessed HPV-16/18 DNA detection rates via in situ hybridization (ISH) in GBM tissues from patients in Baghdad neurosurgical wards, compared to non-malignant CNS controls. Materials and Methods Seventy-four archived GBM tissues (ages 4–73) and 29 benign/non-cancerous CNS controls (ages 23–72) were analyzed using ISH with genotype-specific DNA probes. Results HPV-16/18 DNA was detected in 23/74 (31.1%) GBM tissues versus 1/29 (3.5%) controls. Among positive GBM cases, detection scores were weak (47.8%), moderate (30.4%), or high (21.8%), while intensity scores were high (60.9%), moderate (30.4%), or weak (8.7%). The single positive control exhibited low detection/intensity. Conclusions The significantly higher HPV-16/18 prevalence in GBM tissues suggests a potential role in carcinogenesis and gliosis pathogenesis, highlighting the oncogenic risk of HPV in this subset of glioblastomas.</ns3:p>