[Detection of human papilloma virus in cytologic samples or biopsies of the cervix].

Abstract

The DNA quality for the detection and typification of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) varies according to the type of sample in which it is studied. This may affect the sensitivity and specificity of the method employed.
To study the yield and specificity of HPV detection and typification in uterine cervical samples obtained by cervical brushing fresh frozen and formalin fixed tissue.
Cytological, fresh frozen and fixed tissue samples from 44 patients (nine with low grade lesions and 35 with high grade lesions) were studied. Nested polymerase chain reaction for genes E6/E7 was used to typify HPV groups as low risk or high risk.
Of all the cytological samples obtained by brushing 84% of fixed samples and 43% of fresh frozen samples were positive for HPV. The yields were significantly different when comparing brushing with fixed tissue or fresh frozen tissue and fixed tissue with fresh frozen tissue (p <0.05). The frequency of high risk HPV fluctuated from 41% in fresh frozen tissue to 98% in cytological samples. Low risk HPV was detected in 16% of fresh frozen tissue and 68% of cytological samples. A mixed infection was detected in 66%, 41% and 14% of cytological, fresh frozen and fixed tissue samples respectively.
Cytological samples obtained by brushing had the highest yield for the detection of cervical infection with HPV.