Study of human papillomavirus via chemiluminescence technic and polymerase chain reaction in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

INTRODUCTION: The exact ethiology of bladder carcinoma isn't yet known; an implication of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been recently hypothesized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study HPV-DNA was investigated in urethral secretion and in bladder carcinoma of 37 patients. The analysis was performed by in vitro hybridization (chemiluminescent assay) and Polymerase Chain Reaction in order to detect HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 through specific primers. RESULTS: On 3 out of 37 patients (8.1%) we found the presence of HPV-DNA, only in bladder T.U.R. and not in the corresponding urethral swab. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that human papillomavirus is unlikely to be involved in the pathogenesis of transitional cell carcinoma, in agreement with most European and American research groups.