Differential detection of human papillomavirus DNA type 6 and 11 amplified by polymerase chain reaction.

We have developed a method for differential detection of human papillomavirus type 6 and 11 with selective amplification of a segment of the viral DNAs by the polymerase chain reaction. The target sequence for amplification was a 134-bp (bp 206-339) in the E6 open reading frame of HPV 6 and 11 DNAs. DNA extracted from a paraffin-section or a minute fresh biopsy specimen of condyloma acuminatum was amplified and hybridized with an oligonucleotide probe specific for HPV 6 or 11 DNA. The method was applied to analyse 5 cases of genital condyloma acuminatum, and as a result, HPV 6 and 11 DNAs were detected in two and one case, respectively. This method is useful for differential diagnosis of HPV 6 and 11 infection.