Metric evaluation of the anterior nasal spine to estimate sex and population group in South African individuals.

INTRODUCTION: The anterior nasal spine is a pointed, midline projection of the maxilla. This bony structure dictates the overlying soft tissues providing the phenotypic features of the nose and upper lip and determines the differences in the mid-face morphology. Little data is available on the metric features of the Anterior nasal spine (ANS). This study aimed to perform metric evaluations of the ANS of white and black South African males and females to ascertain if morphological variations exist and if the differences are viable for the use in sex and population identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 100 CBCT images for each population and sex group. Linear and angular measurements of the ANS were recorded in both the sagittal and axial planes. RESULTS: Classification decision trees (pruned) were fitted to ascertain the relationship between population group, sex and the ANS measurements including and excluding age. For population group, all the ANS measurements were statistically significant for females but in males, all the ANS measurements were significant when performed individually. However, when fitted to the classification tree, Sagittal 2 did not show any statistical significance. When considering sex, only 2 of the ANS measurements (Sagittal 2 and Axial 1) were found to be significant. The results did not differ significantly when comparing the decision trees including and excluding age. CONCLUSIONS: White South African individuals presented with a longer ANS that produced a more acute angle whereas black South African individuals presented with a shorter ANS and a more obtuse angle. Additionally, males presented with a longer ANS compared to females. ANS measurements were found to be more relevant for population discernment than for sex.

Prevalence of oral and oropharyngeal human papillomavirus in a sample of South African men: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is well known to be associated with head and neck cancers (HNCs). HPV-associated HNCs are related to sexual behaviour, particularly the lifetime number of oral sex partners, but the epidemiology of oral and oropharyngeal HPV in South African men has not yet been studied. OBJECTIVES: To determine the oral and oropharyngeal HPV strain prevalence and associated factors in a selected male population in Pretoria, South Africa (SA). METHODS: Male factory workers were recruited. Oral rinse and gargle samples were tested for 37 HPV types using the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche Molecular Systems). A questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, medical conditions, substance and alcohol use and sexual behaviour. HIV testing was optional. RESULTS: The HPV prevalence was 5.6% among men (N=125) aged 17 - 64 years. High-risk HPV (hrHPV) types 16 and 68 were found in two men. Oral sex seemed to be an uncommon practice in the majority of respondents, but the two respondents with hrHPV did practise oral sex. There was a statistically significant association between HPV infection and an increased number of sexual partners (p=0.027), but not between HPV and substance use, HIV status or clinical mucosal pathology. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral and oropharyngeal HPV was lower than reported in other countries. An association between oral HPV and having multiple sexual partners was found. A larger nationwide study would give a more representative view of the burden of oral and oropharyngeal HPV infection in SA.