PCR detection and typing of human papilloma virus DNA in squamous carcinoma of the cervix in a cohort of Sri Lankan women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 in squamous carcinomas of the cervix in Sri Lanka.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
One gynaecological unit at the Cancer Institute, Maharagama, Sri Lanka.


METHODS
15 patients with squamous carcinoma of the cervix, and 15 age matched controls with histologically normal cervices.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from paraffin embedded cervical biopsies. Polymerase chain reaction was performed on extracted DNA employing primers specific for HPV types 16 and 18.


RESULTS
HPV 16 DNA was detected in 11 out of 15 cervical cancer biopsies (73.3%), in comparison with 3 out of 15 normal controls (20%). HPV 18 was detected in 3 out of 15 cervical cancer biopsies, but not in a single control biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the limited number of cases in this cohort, this study supports the strong association between HPV 16 and squamous cancer of the cervix.
de Silva
Rajiva
R
Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo 8. nilhanrajivadesilva@yahoo.com
Karunaratne
K
K
Mendis
Lalitha N
LN
Ramesh
R
R
Chow
V T K
VT
D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral