Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in archival Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears and in corresponding cervical cone biopsies by using direct insitu polymerase chain reaction

We wanted to determine whether direct in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS -PCR) is capable of revealing the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DN A in archival Papanicolaou (PAP)-stained cervical smears. In the correspond ing cone-biopsy specimens, we correlated the viral detection results with t he histologic features of the squamous epithelium. HPV DNA was successfully amplified in PAP-stained cervical smears. It was found in the nuclei of lo w-grade (LG) and high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (HG-SILs) of t he uterine cervix, but also in squamous and columnar cells without patholog ic characteristics, demonstrating the potential of in situ PCR in detecting latently infected cells. In the cone-biopsy specimens, the distribution of HPV DNA-positive nuclei depended on the severity of the SILs. To our knowl edge, this is the first report of an experiment using this technology on ar chival PAP smears. The benefits include hindering the loss of atypical cell s in the PAP smear and allowing cytologic and viral diagnosis from one cerv ical smear. Concerning the cone biopsies, we could demonstrate the shift of HPV infection from the squamous epithelial lesion to include the adjacent regular epithelium.