HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION AMONG WOMEN WITH NORMAL CERVICAL PAP SMEAR TESTS

ABSTRACTVarious human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been strongly implicated as etiological agents in human cervical cancer. The primary method for detection of high-risk HPVs is still the Papanicolaou-stained (Pap) smear. However, the Pap smear has some limitations, including high false-negative rates. Using consensus and specific primer-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we investigated 55 women with normal cervical cytology. HPV DNA was found in 11 women (20%), including HPV-16 in 6 cases (10.9%), HPV-6 in 3 cases (5.5%), HPV-6/18 in 1 case (1.8%) and HPV-6/33 in 1 case (1.8%). The obtained results demonstrate the importance of careful follow-up and repeated testing for HPV persistence. Moreover, these findings raise the possibility that HPV diagnostics by molecular virology techniques might be useful as an adjunct to Pap smear screening.