Use of AffiProbe HPV test kit for detection of human papillomavirus DNA in genital scrapes

The association of vascular proliferation with HPV status and epithelial PCNA positivity in cervical intraepithelial lesions

In this study we investigated the number of blood vessels and vascular proliferation in subepithelial areas of 80 cervical condylomas and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN). The number of blood vessels was determined by counting factor VIIIRAg-positive vascular channels in areas beneath the epithelial lesions. Vascular proliferation was evaluated by determining the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive endothelial cells in the subepithelial connective tissues. The results were compared with the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA subgroups (6/11 (low-risk) and 16/18/31/33/35 (high-risk) of the lesions, as determined by dot-blot and in situ hybridization, and with epithelial cell proliferation as determined by immunohistochemistry for PCNA. Also p53 immunohistochemistry of the lesions was performed. Even though CIN II-III lesions on average contained more factor VIIIRAg-positive blood vessels compared to condylomas and CIN I lesions, no significant association was found between their number and the degree of dysplasia. However, moderate or strong PCNA staining in vascular endothelial cells was seen significantly more often in CIN II-III lesions than in condylomas and CIN I lesions (p = 0.008): 34/80 (45%) cases contained detectable HPV DNA as determined by dot-blot or in situ hybridization. There was no correlation between the presence or absence of HPV DNA and the number of PCNA-positive endothelial cells. Nine cases showed p53-positive cell nuclei and in three cases there was more than 1% positive nuclei in the lesion. No association was found between the vascularity or the number of PCNA-positive endothelial cells and the p53 immunoreactivity. The increased proliferative activity of endothelial cells in CIN II-III lesions suggests that they are angiogenically more active than condylomas and CIN I lesions. This activity does not, however, depend on the HPV or p53 status. This is the first report in which endothelial cell PCNA positivity was used as a marker for vascular proliferation.

Quantitative assessment of hepatitis B virus DNA in chronic hepatitis B: comparison of two solution hybridization assays

We compared two solution hybridization assays, the AffiProbe assay (Orion Corporation) and the Abbott HBV-DNA assay (Abbott), for quantitative measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum samples obtained from chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. Forty transversally collected (group 1) and 83 serially collected (group 2) serum samples from chronic hepatitis B patients were tested with both assays. The serial serum samples were obtained from 6 patients who underwent alpha-interferon therapy with different outcomes (nonresponse, hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] seroconversion, HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion). In group 1 a good correlation (r = 0.91; P < 0.001) was found between the HBV-DNA results of the two assays. Two samples (5%) were HBV-DNA positive according to the Abbott but negative according to the AffiProbe assay; for all other samples the HBV-DNA status corresponded. In group 2 the assays gave colinear HBV-DNA results during follow-up of 5 of the 6 patients (correlation for the total group: r = 0.90; P < 0.001). Nevertheless, in both groups the AffiProbe assay yielded about 5-10 times higher HBV-DNA levels than the Abbott HBV-DNA assay (P < 0.001). These discordant results were most probably due to standardization differences of the positive control samples of the two test systems. This observation underlines the need for international standardization of HBV-DNA and uniform reference panels.

Human papillomavirus in cervix carcinoma and condylomata acuminata--identification of HPV-DNA by improved dot-blot-hybridization

Using the benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE cellulose method (BND-method) we have designed a more efficient approach for the detection of human papillomavirus-DNA (HPV-DNA) via dot-blot and hybridization. Biopsy material from anogenital warts (40 patients), invasive carcinoma uteri (12 patients) and normal controls (20 patients) were studied for the presence of HPV-DNA. Phenol extracted DNA from representative lesions was loaded onto a pretreated nitrocellulose filter, was incubated under stringent conditions with 32-P-dCTP labelled HPV-DNA and exposed to a Kodak X-OMAT film. DNA of HPV types 11, 16, 18 were cloned into plasmid vectors. The common, time-consuming caesium-chloride density-gradient centrifugation used for purification of plasmid DNA (20-36 h), was substituted by the BND-method (15 min). Complete HPV genomes were excised using the restriction endonucleases Eco RI and Bam HI. The HPV-DNA fragments obtained were then electroeluted using the 'Bio-Trap' method and subsequently labelled with 32P-dCTP by nick translation. Without resorting to more complex and sensitive technology, such as the polymerase chain reaction, efficiency of specific analysis of large numbers of cervical samples and condylomata was achieved without loss of accuracy or increased costs. The time required for HPV identification from biopsy or sample receipt was shortened considerably (approximately 50%).

Human papillomavirus detection from the female genital tract: combined vs. separate scrape methods

Because genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections tend to be multifocal, it was studied how effective one combined specimen is in detecting HPV-DNA from the lower female genital tract. The study population consisted of 50 patients referred to a colposcopy clinic for a suspected condylomatous and/or dysplastic lesion. From half of the patients, a separate scrape from the cervix, vagina and vulva was taken first followed by a combined scrape representing all the genital sites, and from the other half, vice versa. HPV-DNA (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) was identified using the AffiProbe hybridisation test. Thirty-six specimens collected from 17 patients were positive for HPV-DNA. A multifocal infection was demonstrated in at least 11/17 (65%) HPV-DNA positive patients. The combined scrape was the most informative specimen, revealing 75% of all HPV-DNA-positive patients. It was concluded that HPV-DNA can reliably be detected from the female genital tract in a simple way from one combined specimen.

New microbial diagnosis

Rapid methods for comprehensive nucleic acid analysis are essential for the progress in basic research. In microbial diagnosis nucleic acid analyses are useful for achieving quick, sensitive results with new dimensions of specificity. As to specificity, hybridisation tests are easily constructed for genus or species specific microbial typing or for the detection of genes accounting for pathogenic properties. Modern sequence analysis allows rapid detection of mutations eg., those conferring antiviral resistance. A new level of sensitivity comparable to that of the conventional enrichment culture is obtainable by enzymatic amplification (PCR) of microbial nucleic acids before detection. PCR-technology has proved particularly useful in the diagnosis of microbial infections when the organisms are impossible or tedious to cultivate. For reliable diagnostic use the performance of in vitro amplification requires extreme care to prevent false positive results owing to carry over problems. In conclusion, nucleic acid analyses are expanding the potential for diagnosing microbial infections and may well replace some conventional diagnostic methods.

Detection of human papillomavirus and human cytomegalovirus in cervical lesions by in situ hybridization using biotinylated probes

Infections with specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have emerged as necessary but not sufficient factors in the development of the majority of cervical cancers. The infection by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has also been implicated in both cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer. In order to test prevalence of these viral pathogens in genital lesions with suspect cytopathic changes after observation of smears, cervical biopsies from 131 patients were obtained under colposcopic guidance. The biopsies were tested for the presence of HPV and HCMV by the in situ hybridization technique using biotinylated DNA probes on paraffin-embedded sections. Presence of HCMV is twice more frequent in women with HPV-induced cervical lesions (40%) than in women with any detectable HPV (20%). It may be concluded that HCMV might contribute as one synergistic factor in the development of cervical dysplasia.

A rapid solution hybridization method for detection of human papillomaviruses

Nucleic acid hybridization methods in routine diagnosis of micro-organisms have been limited by the tedious assay procedures. We have previously described the sandwich hybridization method which allows convenient testing of biological specimens. In this paper we describe the adaptation of the solution hydridization method into the microtitre plate format using 35S-isotope as label. Using 3-hour hybridization followed by 2-hour collection of the hybrids a sensitivity of 5 x 10(5) target DNA molecules was achieved. The method was applied for identification of human papillomaviruses in crude gynaecological specimens. A simple 1-day assay protocol was achieved with high HPV type specificity. The specificity was confirmed by testing a variety of unrelated micro-organisms, none of which gave a positive signal in the test. Results, obtained as numerical values, were easy to interpret; positive and negative samples gave clearly distinguishable signals.