High Risk Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

 Background : Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with a subset of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) in particular Oropharyngeal Carcinoma. Objective: To determine the prevalence and Clinicopathological predictors of high-risk HPV among patients with HNSCC at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Nairobi, Kenya. Materials: One hundred and sixty(160) patients who presented themselves to the ENT clinic between 2015 and 2017 with HNSCC had their history taken. A complete physical examination was done along with the appropriate haematological and radiological work-up. Two tissue biopsies were taken from the primary tumour for histology and real time polymerase chain reaction. Methodology: One hundred and sixty(160) patients with HNSCC aged 16 to 87 years were recruited and set in groups of six. These groups were based on the primary site of the tumour present such as; Oral cavity, Oropharynx, Nasopharynx, Hypopharynx, Larynx and Sinonasal. There were 117 (73.1%) males and 43 (26.9%) female participants. Twelve 12(7.5%) patients tested positive for high risk HPV. The HPV genotypes detected were 56, 52 and 33. There were no predictors for HPV positivity. Conclusion: High risk HPV prevalence was low among HNSCC patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. No HPV 16 nor 18. The positive patients did not have profiles that matched those of HPV-positive HNSCC globally. Key Words: Human papillomavirus, carcinoma, head and nec