Validity of vaginal testing in detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and usefulness of vaginal scrapes in detecting cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by the polymer ase chain reaction (PCR). The study group comprised 23 women tested positiv e and 18 women tested negative For cervical HPV DNA by PCR, and confirmed b y histopathology. At the time of specimen collection, both vaginal and endo cervical scrapes were taken from these women, and tested For HPV DNA by PCR , using MY09/MY11 primer system. HPV genotypes were analyzed by hybridizing PCR products with HPV type-specific biotinylated probes. HPV DNA was detec ted in both vaginal and cervical scrapes from the HPV-positive, but nut fro m HPV-negative group. In the HPV-positive group, the same HPV type was foun d in vaginal and endocervical scrapes, giving a positive predictive value o f 1.0. The results indicate that HPV types can be detected in vaginal scrap es, and recommend utilization of the less invasive vaginal testing for the routine detection of HPV DNA. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.