Lackofdetection ofhumanpapillomavirus DNA inmaleurine samples

Objectives-To evaluatepolymerase chainreaction (PCR)methodology for thedetection ofurethral human papillomavirus(HPV)infection by examiiing urinary sediment frommales. Setting-Department of Genitourinary Medicine, LeedsGeneral Infirmary. Subjects-73 malepatients attending for treatmentofsexually transmitted diseases,including 14patients withgenital wartswhichdidnotinvolve theurethral meatus. Methods-Urinary sediment was tested forHPV DNA andhuman betaglobin gene DNA byPCR methodology. A consensus primersetcapable ofdetecting a widerange ofHPV typeswas used.PCR productwas analysedby gelelectrophoresis andethidium bromidestaining. Results-HPVDNA was notdetected in any ofthespecimens. Human betaglobin gene DNA was identified in40ofthe73 specimens (55%). Conclusions-Screening urinarysediment forHPV DNA byPCR methodology withanalysis ofPCR productbygel electrophoresis and ethidiumbromide staining isprobably unhelpful forstudyingtheprevalence ofurethral HPV infectioninmen.