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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, July 2009, p. 2165-2169, Vol. 47, No. 7
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00402-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Evaluation of an Array-Based Method for Human Papillomavirus Detection and Genotyping in Comparison with Conventional Methods Used in Cervical Cancer Screening
Nerea García-Sierra,1,
Elisa Martró,1,2,
Eva Castellà,3
Mariona Llatjós,3
Antoni Tarrats,4
Elisabet Bascuñana,1,2
Rosana Díaz,4
María Carrasco,1
Guillem Sirera,5
Lurdes Matas,1,2 and
Vicente Ausina1,6*
Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, and Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain,1 CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain,2 Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain,3 Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain,4 HIV Clinical Unit, Department of Medicine, Lluita Contra La SIDA Foundation,5 CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Bunyola (Mallorca), Spain6
Received 24 February 2009/ Returned for modification 6 April 2009/ Accepted 13 May 2009
Cervical cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer in young women around the world. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially high-risk HPV types (HR-HPV), is necessary for the development of this cancer. HPV-DNA detection is increasingly being used in cervical cancer screening programs, together with the Papanicolau smear test. We evaluated the usefulness of introducing this new array-based HPV genotyping method (i.e., Clinical Arrays Papillomavirus Humano) in the cervical cancer screening algorithm in our center. The results obtained using this method were compared to those obtained by the hybrid capture II high-risk HPV DNA test (HC-II) and Papanicolau in a selected group of 408 women. The array-based assay was performed in women that were HC-II positive or presented cytological alterations. Among 246 array-positive patients, 123 (50%) presented infection with 
2 types, and HR-HPV types were detected in 206 (83.7%), mainly HPV-16 (24.0%). Up to 132 (33.2%) specimens were classified as ASCUS (for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), and only 48 (36.4%) of them were HPV-DNA positive by either assay; however, 78.7% of these cases were caused by HR-HPV types. The agreement between both HPV-DNA detection techniques was fairly good (n = 367). Screening with Papanicolau smear and HC-II tests, followed by HPV detection and genotyping, provided an optimal identification of women at risk for the development of cervical cancer. Furthermore, with the identification of specific genotypes, either in single or multiple infections, a better prediction of disease progression was achieved. The array method also made allowed us to determine the possible contribution of the available vaccines in our setting.
* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Ctra de Canyet, s/n 08916 Badalona, Spain. Phone: 34 934978 894. Fax: 34 934978 895. E-mail: vausina.germanstrias{at}gencat.cat
Published ahead of print on 13 May 2009.
N.G.-S. and E.M. contributed equally to this study.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, July 2009, p. 2165-2169, Vol. 47, No. 7
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00402-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
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