Detection of Human Papillomavirus Types in Cervical Lesions of Patients from Taiwan by the Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with cervical carcinoma is well documented. The HPV types in cervical lesions of patients from Taiwan are analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). STUDY DESIGN: DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissues using a sonication method. PCR was performed using type-specific primers for the presence of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33 DNA. Amplified product was subjected to gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization analysis. RESULTS: A total of 129 cervical lesions and normal cervical biopsies were examined. Histologic examination revealed a spectrum of lesions, which were classified as condyloma acuminata (AC), condyloma (CL), koilocytosis (KL), various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I, II, and III), carcinoma in situ (CIS), and invasive carcinoma (ICa). Of 114 cervical lesions, 65% (26 of 40) of AC; 61% (11 of 18) of CL; 20% (2 of 10) of KL; 25% (1 of 4) of CIN I; 69% (9 of 13) of CIN II; 80% (12 of 15) of CIN III; 83% (5 of 6) of CIS; and 100% (8 of 8) of ICa were positive for at least one type of HPV by the PCR. Among the 74 HPV-positive specimens, 19 (26%) were detected with multiple types. HPV DNA was detected in the cervical biopsies of 1 of 15 (6.7%) normal individuals. CONCLUSION: Excluding AC, HPV 6 and/or 11 (HPV 6/11), HPV 16 and/or 18 (HPV 16/18), and HPV 31 and/or 33 (HPV 31/33) were detected in 40% (19 of 48), 71% (34 of 48), and 12% (6 of 48) of neoplastic lesions of patients from Taiwan respectively. These findings are compatible with those reported by others worldwide.