An unusual cervical carcinoma showing exception to epitheliotropism of human papillomavirus

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infect epithelial tissues but have not been pr eviously detected within mesenchymal cells. During a systematic investigati on of FIGO stage Ib cervical cancers with colorimetric in situ hybridizatio n, we detected HPV 16 DNA within the stromal compartment of an unusual undi fferentiated carcinoma. The mesenchymal nature of the HPV-containing cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. No viral par ticles were identified. Sequencing the majority of the HPV 16 genome identi fied few changes from the revised reference clone; all previously reported in other HPV 16 variants. These viral changes are unlikely to explain the e xceptional mesenchymal localization of the HPV 16 DNA in this case. HUM PAT HOL 30:483-485. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.