Short fragment polymerase chain reaction reverse hybridization line probe assay to detect and genotype a broad spectrum of human papillomavirus types- Clinical evaluation and follow-up

The purpose of this study was to detect and genotype 16 different human pap illoma virus (HPV) types simultaneously using a short fragment polymerase c hain reaction (SPF) hybridization line probe assay (LiPA). 152 women who we re referred to the gynecologist because of abnormal cervical smear underwen t colposcopic examination and repeat cervical smear. In addition, the cervi cal scrapes were analyzed for the presence of HPV by a novel general HPV po lymerase chain reaction assay followed by a single reaction genotyping assa y allowing for a simultaneous detection and identification of 16 different HPV types. HPV DNA was detected in 38% of normal follow-up cervical scrapes , 51% of scrapes with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 78% of scrapes with mild dysplasia (low grade squamous intraepithelial les ions), 86% of scrapes with moderate dysplasia thigh grade squamous intraepi thelial lesions), and in 88% of scrapes with severe dysplasia and carcinoma in sills. One case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma was positive for HP V 16. Overall, a single HPV type was detected in 56% of HPV positive scrape s, with HPV 16 being the most common and accounting for 45% of all single i nfections. Forty-four percent of the positive scrapes contained multiple HP V types, of which double infections prevailed. Follow-up results proved the reproducibility and reliability of SPF HPV LiPA. In conclusion, we have us ed and evaluated the SPF-HPV-LiPA system for the detection and genotyping o f HPV infections. The combined detection-typing method proved to be sensiti ve, specific, simple, and fast, making mass screening of cervical scrapes a ccessible for routine practice and facilitating individual patient manageme nt.