Screening for wart virus infection in normal and abnormal cervices by DNA hybridisation of cervical scrapes
Wickenden, C.; Steele, A.; Malcolm, A.D.; Coleman, D.V.
Lancet 1(8420): 65-67
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 2857023 Document Number: 253053
Cervical scrapings from 78 women attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic, family planning clinic (FPC) and colposcopy clinic were assayed for human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV-6) by DNA hybridization. Results of hybridization were compared with clinical, colposcopic, and cytological findings. Scrapings from 2 of the 4 women with genital warts gave positive results with the HPV probe. No HPV-6 DNA was detected in scrapings from 18 women attending an FPC whereas scrapings from 2 of 19 STD clinic patients with normal colposcopic and cytololgical examination were positive-this means that DNA hybridization detected wart virus infection where previously none was suspected. HPV-6 DNA was detected in about 10% of cervical scrapings form women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) both before and after treatment. Indeed in 2 patients in whom viral DNA persisted after laser therapy, it was associated with local recurrence of neoplasia. This non-invasive technique is suitable for use as a screening test for HPV infection. In this study it identified women who have a high risk of developing CIN and in whom close cytological and colposcopic surveillance is indicated.