原发性肝细胞癌病人肝组织中螺杆菌的检测及分析

目的检测并分析原发性肝细胞癌病人组织中螺杆菌的存在情况。方法取配对的80对肝癌、癌旁组织标本及13例正常肝组织标本，抽提组织DNA，分别以细菌特异性和螺杆菌属细菌特异性16SrRNA基因引物进行巢式PCR检测，RCR产物T-A克隆后进行测序和基因进化树分析；对16SrRNA基因归属于幽门螺杆菌的组织样品，PCR检测幽门螺杆菌特异性26KDa基因及cagA、vacA、rps4、g1mM四个功能相关基因，进一步验证幽门螺杆菌的存在；应用抗幽门螺杆菌抗体对肝癌／癌旁组织及正常肝标本进行免疫组化验测。结果39份肝癌组织标本（39／80，48．75％）及37份癌旁组织标本（37／80，46．25％）检出螺杆菌属16SrRNA基因，其中，肝癌组织及癌旁组织均阳性的共有20例，正常肝组织无一例阳性（P〈0．01）。对其中50份16SrRNA基因的进化树分析提示它们与幽门螺杆菌的同源性超过99％，与此相关的组织样本中，幽门螺杆菌特异性26KDa基因阳性37份，cagA基因阳性8份，g1mM基因阳性9份，vacA基因以及rps4基因未检出。免疫组化显示26份癌组织（26／80，32．5％）及24份癌旁组织（24／80，30．0％）检出幽门螺杆菌，且主要分布于肝窦、汇管区及小肝管，正常肝组织无一例阳性（P〈0．01）。结论原发性肝细胞癌病人的癌组织及（或）相应的癌旁组织内存在螺杆菌，螺杆菌感染与原发性肝癌发生可能存在某种关联。     

人肝胆管癌中碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及其受体的表达

我们应用免疫组织化学方法探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(ｂＦＧＦ)及其受体在肝胆管癌发生发展中的作用,现报道如下。一、材料与方法1.材料:(1)实验组:56例肝胆管癌,男女比例为1.48∶1,平均年龄(50.9±10.7)岁。其中肝门部胆管癌25例,肝内胆管癌31例;管状腺癌36例,乳头状癌13例,粘液腺癌7例;高分化39例,中低分化17例;肝门区淋巴结转移30例。(2)对照组:50例肝胆管结石症,15例正常肝内胆管(外伤性肝破裂、肝血管瘤)。所有标本均取自福建协和医院外科1989～1998年间手术切除肝组织,常规固定,石蜡包埋,4μｍ厚连续切片备染。2.方法:免疫组化ＳＰ…     

肝外胆管癌组织中HBx mRNA的原位检测和临床病理意义

目的 检测肝外胆管癌和癌旁胆管组织中乙型肝炎病毒X基因(HBx)mRNA的表达,了解HBV感染与胆管癌发生间的关系,明确HBx蛋白和基因在胆管癌发生中的意义。方法酶切质粒凝胶回收HBx基因片段,地高辛标记HBx DNA探针,原位杂交检测胆管癌及癌旁胆管石蜡标本中HBx mRNA的表达,并与临床病理资料进行相关分析。结果71例肝外胆管癌组织中HBx mRNA表达阳性率为61％(43／71);而39例癌旁胆管组织中的HBx mRNA表达阳性率仅为18％(7／39),且阳性信号全部见于伴有中重度不典型增生的胆管上皮细胞内。统计分析显示胆管癌组织中HBx mRNA表达和分布与临床病理参数无相关性,但HBx蛋白和基因的表达呈正相关。结论 肝外胆管癌组织中可以检测到HBx mRNA表达,HBV感染及其基因整合在胆管癌发生中有一定意义。     

Wnt信号通路调节因子在肝门部胆管癌组织中的表达

目的研究肝门部胆管癌组织中Wnt经典通路调节因子Frizzled、LRP5/6、APC、Axin的表达,结合既往的研究明确Wnt经典通路的整体调节。 方法以1998年4月至2007年5月病理确诊为肝门部胆管癌的129例肿瘤标本作为胆管癌组,使用同期的45例先天性胆总管囊肿标本作为对照（囊肿组）,通过组织芯片技术检测所有标本的Wnt经典通路中主要调节因子Frizzled、LRP5/6、APC、Axin的表达。 结果囊肿组中Frizzled阳性率高于胆管癌组（91.1% vs 78.3%,H=9.29,P<0.05）;胆管癌组的LRP5/6及APC阳性率分别为91.5%、84.5%,囊肿组的LRP5/6及APC阳性率分别为95.6%、77.8%,两组差异均无统计学意义（H=0.622、1.800,P=0.733、0.400）;而Axin在胆管癌组的表达阳性率显著高于囊肿组（91.4% vs 88.9%,H=6.23,P<0.05）。 结论以组织芯片技术为手段,本研究反映出肝门部胆管癌Wnt通路中Frizzled及Axin两种蛋白较囊肿组织体现显著差异,有望成为诊断及治疗的靶点。     

肝胆管结石并发胆管癌

目的 探讨肝胆管结石并发胆管癌的诊断、治疗和预后。方法 回顾性分析17例肝胆管结石并发胆管癌的临床资料、病理及预后情况。结果 胆管癌在肝胆管结石病人中的发生率为5％（17／340）。术前诊断为胆管癌者占17．6％（3／17）。肝内及肝门部胆管癌占88．2％（15／17）,肝外胆管癌占11．8％（2／17）。其中高分化腺癌9例。根治性切除41．2％（7／17）,平均生存26个月;姑息性内引流术47．1％（8／17）,平均生存12．4个月;姑息性外引流术11．7％（2／17）,平均生存3．6个月。结论 对病史长,反复胆管炎发作,短期内消瘦,黄疸加深,腹痛难以控制的肝胆管结石病人,应考虑胆管癌的可能。胆管癌切除预后较未切除者为好,姑息性内引流术的预后优于外引流术。     

C-kit和SCF基因在胆管细胞癌中的表达及意义

目的 拟通过检测C-kit、SCF基因在胆管细胞癌中的表达来了解C-kit、SCF与胆管细胞癌发生和发展之间的关系。方法采用免疫组化S-P法检测48例肝胆管细胞癌及20例肝外胆管癌标本C-kit、SCF蛋白表达情况，同时取对应的癌旁胆管组织及另取30例肝及胆管良性病变胆管组织作对照，所有数据采用X^2检验。结果48例肝胆管细胞癌组织中C-kit、SCF蛋白表达分别为39例（81．3％）和36例（75．0％），20例肝外胆管癌组织中C-kit、SCF蛋白表达分别为12例（60．0％）和13例（65．0%），癌旁胆管组织中4例C-kit、5例SCF呈弱阳性表达，30例肝及胆管良性病变胆管组织C-kit、SCF蛋白均呈阴性表达。两癌组织与癌旁胆管组织、肝及胆管良性病变胆管组织C-kit、SCF表达阳性率比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。Ⅲ～Ⅳ期胆管细胞癌C-kit、SCF蛋白表达阳性率高于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期（P〈0．05），中低分化癌高于高分化癌（P〈0．05），有淋巴结转移癌高于无淋巴结转移癌（P〈0．05）。而肝外胆管癌组织中C-kit、SCF蛋白表达与其临床病理各因素无明显相关（P〉0．05）。C-kit、SCF蛋白表达与胆管细胞癌病人年龄、性别、肿瘤直径无关。结论 C-kit、SCF蛋白过表达可能在胆管细胞癌的发生、发展中发挥作用。     

RASSF1基因在肝外胆管癌组织中转录表达及其临床意义的研究

目的　探讨RASSF1基因3种不同转录本在肝外胆管癌中的表达及其临床意义。方法用RT PCR的方法检测 48 例肝外胆管癌组织及 12 例癌旁正常组织中 RASSF1A、RASSF1B 和RASSF1C mRNA的表达情况。结果　RASSF1A 在肝外胆管癌组织中的转录表达缺失高达68 75%,其缺失与肝外胆管癌的淋巴转移(P< 0 05)及 TNM 分期(P< 0 01)相关。RASSF1B、RASSF1C的表达与肝外胆管癌的组织学类型、分化程度、淋巴转移不相关。结论　RASSF1 基因 3种转录本在胆管癌组织中的表达存在明显差异,转录本 RASSF1A与肝外胆管癌淋巴转移及 TNM分期相关,是一种肝外胆管癌的候选抑癌基因。     

肝脏囊性病变外科治疗的回顾性分析

目的　提高肝脏囊性病变 (囊肿≥ 4cm )的外科治疗水平。方法　对 1983～ 2 0 0 3年我院外科治疗肝脏囊性病变的病因、外科治疗方式及预后进行回顾性分析。结果　本组肝脏囊性病变病人 64例 ,其中单纯性肝囊肿 5 7例 ,肝棘球蚴病 4例 ,肝胆管囊腺瘤 2例 ,肝胆管囊腺癌 1例。囊肿平均直径为 10 .4cm。 16例单纯性肝囊肿行经皮囊肿穿刺抽液术 ,术后所有病人囊肿复发。 5 2例单纯性肝囊肿病人施行了手术治疗 ,其中 2 8例剖腹行囊肿去顶术 ,6例术后复发 ;18例腹腔镜辅助下手术 ,2例术后复发 ;囊肿切除术 2例 ,肝叶或肝部分切除术 4例。 4例肝棘球蚴病行包虫囊肿内囊摘除术 ,无复发。 2例肝胆管囊腺瘤和 1例肝胆管囊腺癌 ,均行肝叶切除术。结论　巨大 (≥ 4cm)、有临床症状的单纯性肝囊肿行经皮囊肿穿刺抽液术均复发 ;囊肿去顶术复发率低 ,腹腔镜辅助下手术较剖腹手术创伤小。肝棘球蚴病行包虫囊肿内囊摘除术是有效的 ,复发率低。肝胆管囊腺瘤可能恶变 ,应早期手术切除。     

肝外胆管癌组织BCL-2中的表达及意义

目的:了解抗调亡基因BCL-2在肝外胆管癌和良性胆管疾病组织中的表达及其与胆管癌分化程度的关系。方法:利用免疫组织化学方法检测了46例肝外胆管癌,10例胆总管囊肿,5例慢性胆管炎胆管壁组织BCL-2蛋白的表达。结果:胆管癌BCL-2蛋白表达阳性率为(43.3％)。其中高分化腺癌BCL-2蛋白阳性率为(64.3％),中分化腺癌BCL-2蛋白阳性率为(42.8％),低分化腺癌BCL-2蛋白阳性率(18.1％)。10例胆总管囊肿及5例慢性胆管炎的胆管壁组织均无表达。结论:1.BCL-2蛋白在胆管癌与良性胆管疾病中表达有显著差异,它的过度表达与肝外胆管癌的发生有关。2.胆管癌分化程度越高,其BCL-2表达越高,而分化程度越低,其BCL-2表达越低。提示BCL-2蛋白在肝外胆管癌表达与细胞分化程度有关。     

c-Met与胆石相关性肝内胆管癌的相关性研究

目的:探讨c-Met的表达与胆石症合并肝内胆管癌患者临床病理特点的相关性。方法:收集甲醛固定、石蜡包埋的35例胆石症合并肝内胆管癌及配对的35例癌旁胆管组织、20例正常肝脏胆管组织,所有病例均经病理证实,同时收集胆石症合并肝内胆管癌患者的临床资料。采用免疫组织化学的方法检测组织中c-Met的表达情况。结果:c-Met阳性表达主要以癌细胞胞膜及胞质呈现棕黄色颗粒状染色。在肝内胆管癌组织、癌旁胆管组织和正常肝内胆管组织中的表达阳性率分别为68.57%(24/35)、77.14%(27/35)、10.00%(2/20),肝内胆管癌组织和癌旁胆管组织的表达均高于正常肝内胆管组织(P<0.05)。c-Met的表达与患者是否存在淋巴结转移和肿瘤分化程度有明显相关性(P<0.05)。结论:c-Met可以用来早期诊断,评估预后,并作为判断胆石相关性肝内胆管癌恶性程度的参考。     

E-上皮钙粘附素和p16基因蛋白在胆管癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨E-上皮钙黏附素（E-cadherin,ED）和p16基因蛋白表达与胆管癌生物学行为的关系。方法 应用免疫组化方法检测43例胆管癌组织中ED和p16基因蛋白表达,综合分析了ED和p16蛋白表达与胆管癌临床病理因素间的关系。结果 在胆管癌组织中,ED和p16表达阳性率分别为53.5％和44.2％。ED和p16表达与胆管癌的TNM分期、分化程度和转移密切相关（P<0.05）。ED表达与p16表达呈正相关（r=0.47,P<0.005）。结论 ED和p16表达提示胆管癌生物学行为不良。     

Rapid diagnosis of fungal infection in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis by polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the rapid diagnosis of fungal infections in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using universal primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene. METHODS: In this study, a PCR assay was developed to identify clinically isolated fungi, and both PCR technique and conventional culture were used to detect fungi in 37 samples from patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. RESULTS: A 197-bp fragment was amplified by PCR from all the clinically isolated fungal strains. This fragment was not isolated from gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria or human leucocytes. Thirty-seven samples of necrotic tissue or peripancreatic fluid from 11 patients were also analyzed, and eight samples were positive for fungi by PCR, six of which were also positive by conventional culture. The whole PCR procedure was completed within 7 hours. CONCLUSION: PCR can be used to diagnose fungal infection secondary to acute necrotizing pancreatitis rapidly and sensitively.     

肝炎病毒感染与肝门部胆管癌发病关系的探讨

目的　探讨乙型肝炎 (乙肝 )和丙型肝炎 (丙肝 )病毒感染在肝门部胆管癌发病中的作用。　方法　采用免疫组织化学方法对 6 8例石蜡包埋肝门部胆管癌患者手术标本中乙肝病毒X蛋白和丙肝病毒C蛋白水平进行检测 ,并结合临床资料进行分析。　结果　 6 8例肝门部胆管癌中乙肝病毒X蛋白阳性率为 8 8% (6 / 6 8) ,丙肝病毒C蛋白阳性率为 35 3% (2 4 / 6 8) ,两者均阳性 1例(1 5 % ) ;乙肝、丙肝病毒感染的肝门部胆管癌在分化程度 (χ2 =8 7,P <0 0 1)、浸润程度 (χ2 =6 7 8,P<0 0 1)、淋巴结转移 (χ2 =4 3,P <0 0 5 )、根治程度 (χ2 =5 1,P <0 0 5 )与非病毒感染的肝门部胆管癌比较差异有显著意义。　结论　乙肝病毒X蛋白、丙肝病毒C蛋白可能在乙肝、丙肝病毒感染肝门部胆管癌的发病原因中起重要作用。乙肝、丙肝病毒感染的肝门部胆管癌恶性程度高 ,可能预后较差     

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目的研究胆囊结石病与螺杆茵感染的关系。方法对2000～2002年44例胆囊结石病病人和18例正常对照。胆汁和胆囊黏膜标本接种于需氧、厌氧和微需氧培养基培养。利用两对特异性的螺杆茵16S rRNA基因引物对胆石核心、胆汁、胆囊黏膜行NP-PCR扩增，Southern杂交，并对PCR产物克隆测序，将测序结果与基因库中的序列作比较，采用Neighbor-joining法绘制种系发生树。胆囊黏膜行Giemsa染色。结果胆汁和胆囊黏膜标本来发现螺杆茵生长。胆石、胆汁和胆囊黏膜的螺杆菌DNA扩增阳性率分别为4．55％、38．24％和79．55％，对照组胆汁和胆囊黏膜检测为阴性；对2例胆石和2例胆囊黏膜的阳性扩增产物测序分析，分别与F．rappini、H．cinaedi、H．pylori和H．canadensis的16S rRNA基因序列有较高的同源性；螺杆菌DNA扩增阳性的标本Southerm杂交分析也为阳性；胆囊黏膜经Giemsa染色未见到类似螺杆茵茵体。结论本研究显示螺杆茵DNA存在于胆囊结石、胆汁及胆囊黏膜中，胆道系统螺杆茵感染可能和胆囊结石的形成有一定关系。     

p16抑癌基因在胆管细胞性肝癌中的表达与预后的关系

目的研究ｐ１６抑癌基因与胆管细胞性肝癌发生、发展及预后的关系。方法用免疫组织化学染色ＳＰ法检测胆管细胞性肝癌３８例、癌旁胆管异型增生组织２６例及正常肝内胆管组织中ｐ１６抑癌基因１６例的表达情况。结果ｐ１６抑癌基因在胆管细胞性肝癌组织中表达率为２６％,明显低于癌旁胆管异型增生组织（６９％,Ｐ＜００１）及正常肝内胆管组织（８１％,Ｐ＜００１）;中、低分化胆管细胞性肝癌ｐ１６抑癌基因表达率（１５％）显著低于高分化胆管细胞性肝癌的ｐ１６抑癌基因表达率（５４％,Ｐ＜００５）;在伴有淋巴结转移和门静脉癌栓的病例中,ｐ１６抑癌基因表达率明显低于相应的对照组（Ｐ＜００５）;ｐ１６抑癌基因阳性病人５年生存率为５６％,而ｐ１６抑癌基因阴性病人５年生存率仅为１４％,二者相比差异有显著意义（Ｐ＜００５）;ｐ１６抑癌基因的表达与癌灶体积、癌灶数目及ＨＢｓＡｇ无关。结论ｐ１６抑癌基因的失表达可能在胆管细胞性肝癌的发生发展中起重要作用;ｐ１６抑癌基因表达与胆管细胞性肝癌的分化程度及有无淋巴结转移和门静脉癌栓形成有关,是判定胆管细胞性肝癌恶性程度及估计预后的重要指标之一。     

原发性胆囊癌胆囊黏膜和胆汁中螺杆菌相关基因的检测

目的 探讨人类原发性胆囊癌(primary carcinoma of the gallbladder,PCG)的发生是否与幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylor,Hp)的感染有关,为原发性胆囊癌的治疗提供新的思路.方法 选取18例PCG患者、40例慢性胆囊炎、胆囊结石(chronic cholecystitis or cholelithiasis,CC)患者以及20例排除PCG和CC的患者(对照组)手术后的胆囊黏膜、胆汁,采用巢式PCR方法扩增螺杆菌特异的16S rRNA基因.阳性者检测Hp特异26 KDa蛋白1基因和4个相关功能基因(cagA、vacA、rps4、ureA),并进行测序分析,确定检出的细菌是否为Hp.结果 PCG组胆囊黏膜和胆汁标本有29份检出螺杆菌属16S rRNA基因,阳性率为81%,显著高于CC组(50%)和对照组(20%).PCG 组螺杆菌属16S rRNA基因阳性29份标本中,15份cagA基因阳性,阳性率为52%;25份26 KDa基因阳性,阳性率为86%;14份ureA基因阳性,阳性率为48%;未扩增出vacA和rps4基因;cagA、26 KDa、vacA、ureA和rps4基因至少一项阳性的样本数为27份,阳性率为93%.经测序鉴定,检测出的螺杆菌与Hp有99%以上的同源性.结论 PCG患者胆囊黏膜和胆汁中存在Hp感染,且感染率高.初步提示胆道系统Hp感染与PCG有关.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the relationship between helicobacter pylor (Hp) and primary carcinoma of the gallbladder (PCG), providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of PCG.Methods Mucosa and bile of gallbladder samples were collected from 18 patients with PCG (PCG group), 40 patients with chronic cholecystitis or cholelithiasis (CC group), and 20 patients with no PCG and CC (control group). 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequence analysis of the obtained PCR fragments was performed. A developed search for Hp was also carried out by PCR. Five genes specific for Hp were amplified. Results In the PCG group, 81% samples of mucosa and bile were positive for Helicobacter-specific 16S rRNA gene. The positive rate in PCG group was significantly higher than those of the CC group (50%) and the control group (20%).Of the 16S rDNA sequence of Helicobacter pylori positive samples of mucosa and bile, 52% of samples were positive in cagA, 86% were positive in 26 KDa, 48% were positive in ureA separately. The vacA and rps4 genes were never detected in any of the samples of mucosa and bile. At least one gene was positive in 93% of samples of musca and bile. The sequencing showed more than 99% homology of Helicobacter 16S rRNA in PCG and Hp groups. Conclusion A higher infection rate is present in bile and gallbladder mucosa from patients with PCG. Hp in the biliary system may be one of the risk factors for occurrence of PCG.     

Is the simian virus SV40 associated with idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in humans?

BACKGROUND: Glomerulosclerosis was reported in mice transgenic for the simian polyomavirus SV40 early region that contains the transforming sequences encoding the SV40 large T-antigen (TAG). This was discovered when an SV40 epidemic occurred following the use of contaminated polio vaccines during 1955-1963, and led to investigations that showed an association between SV40 infection and tumors in humans. We investigated the possible association of SV40 infection and idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). METHODS: The study was performed in 17 Bouin-fixed, paraffin-embedded renal biopsies from FSGS patients and 10 matched biopsies from patients with IgA glomerulonephritis; all patients had undergone polio vaccination in the early 1960s. Extracted DNA was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified using SV.for3/SV.rev primers and GabE1/GabE2 primers; both sets of primers map in the region of SV40 TAG sequences, and amplify a fragment of respectively 105-bp and 135-bp. The biopsies considered were those in which the DNA was sufficiently intact to allow amplification of a fragment of 102-bp of the ApoE gene. RESULTS: Three FSGS and none of the IgA biopsies were positive for the SV.for3/SV.rev fragment. Conversely, amplification with GabE1/GabE2 primers did not lead to any specific product in either the IgA or FSGS biopsies. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing analyses revealed that the positive results obtained with the SV.for3/SV.rev primers were due to amplicons generated by multiple dimerization of forward and reverse primers. CONCLUSIONS: With the limited number of patients investigated, this study excludes the hypothesis that SV40 is associated with idiopathic FSGS.     

Detection and identification of oxalate-degrading bacteria in human feces.

BACKGROUND: Oxalate is detoxified (catabolized) via the action of two enzymatic proteins, formyl coenzyme A transferase (encoded by the frc gene) and oxalyl coenzyme A decarboxylase (encoded by the oxc gene), contained in the cytosol of Oxalobacter formigenes that colonizes the human intestinal tract. It is speculated that oxalate-degrading bacteria decrease oxalate absorption from the intestines and their absence in the gastrointestinal tract correlates with the formation of calcium-oxalate urolithiasis. METHODS: Two methods of detection and identification of this bacterial strain were studied in human fecal samples collected from Japanese subjects. Genomic DNA was isolated from bacterial culture, and specific 16S rDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. The oxc gene was amplified directly from human feces by PCR using the specific primers. RESULTS: Oxalate-degrading bacteria were identified by comparing the sequences of 16S rDNA. The oxc gene was directly detected from human feces by PCR. It was ascertained that a combined PCR detection method using both 16S rDNA and the oxc gene allows for identification of O. formigenes in human fecal samples. CONCLUSION: This detection and identification method of oxalate-degrading bacteria using 16S rDNA and oxc gene should be applied in examination of clinical samples.     

胆管癌中PTEN和p16抑癌基因蛋白的表达及其临床意义

目的　探讨抑癌基因PTEN和p16蛋白表达与胆管癌生物学行为的关系。方法　应用免疫组化方法检测 43例胆管癌组织和 10例慢性胆管炎胆管壁组织的PTEN和p16基因蛋白的表达 ,并综合分析它们与胆管癌临床病理因素间的关系。结果　在胆管癌组织中 ,PTEN和p16表达阳性率分别为3 9 .5 %和 44 .2 %。PTEN和p16表达与胆管癌的TNM分期、分化程度和转移密切相关 (P <0 .0 5 )。PTEN表达与p16表达呈正相关 (r =0 .62 ,P <0 .0 0 5 )。结论　检测PTEN和p16抑癌基因表达可作为评估胆管癌生物学行为和预后的参考指标。     

Human papillomavirus DNA in malignant and hyperplastic prostate tissue of black and white males

This study hypothesized that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with increased prostate cancer risk, and that the 40% higher incidence rate in blacks is attributable to a greater prevalence of oncogenic viral DNA in prostatic tissues. Viral L1 and E6 gene sequences were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified in archival tissues from 56 prostate cancer cases and 42 hyperplastic controls. L1 amplimers were hybridized by dot blot to HPV L1 generic probes, as were E6 amplimers to E6 probes specific for HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45. 12.5% of cases and 9.5% of controls were HPV positive by L1 hybridization (age/race adjusted odds ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval = 0.33, 8.37). Four of 52 (7.7%) blacks were HPV positive compared to 7 of 46 (15.2%) whites. However, none of the L1-positive samples hybridized to the E6 type-specific probes, and positive results were not replicable using a broader spectrum of PCR primers and probes. These data suggest that HPV infection is not a significant risk factor for prostate cancer and does not explain the excess cancer risk in blacks. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.