Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus DNA using polymerase chain reaction short PCR fragment 10-line probe assay in abnormal Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the short PCR fragment 10-line probe assay (SPF10-LiPA) system in detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) in abnormal Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears.

STUDY DESIGN: We included 20 abnormal Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears. Samples were tested for HPV DNA detection and genotyping using the SPF10-LiPA system.

RESULTS: All samples amplified the INF150 gene control. In 2 of 20 cases, amplification of the viral sequences was negative. Of processed samples, 18 of 20 presented HPV infection; of them, 56% showed only 1 type of HPV infection; the remaining presented > or = 2 types of HPV (multiple infections). HPV16 was the most frequent specific viral in 60%, in single and multiple infections, followed by HPV18 (20%), HPV6 (10%) and HPV58 (10%). We also found HR-HPV45, 52, 58 and 68 and LR-HPV6, 11 and 70 viral DNA types. These multiple infections were detected with greater frequencies in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and in the low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

CONCLUSION: The SPF10-LiPA system is efficient, sensitive, fast and simple for detecting and genotyping HPV DNA in abnormal Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears, which could be enormously useful in routine investigation for better clinical management of the patient.