Automation of the linear array HPV genotyping test and its application for routine typing of human papillomaviruses in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for reliable, automated high throughput HPV detection and genotyping methods for pre- and post-prophylactic vaccine intervention analyses.


OBJECTIVE
To optimize the linear array (LA) HPV genotyping test (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz) in regard to possible automation steps for the routine laboratory diagnosis of HPV infections and to analyze the HPV genotype distribution in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.


METHODS
680 cervical cell specimens with normal cytology, obtained from women undergoing routine cervical screening by liquid-based Pap smear, were analyzed by the LA HPV genotyping test for HPV-DNA.


RESULTS
The automation of the LA HPV genotyping test resulted in a total hands-on time reduction of 255 min (from 480 to 225 min; 53%). Any of 37 HPV genotypes were detected in 117 (17.2%) and high-risk (HR) HPV in 55 (8.1%) of 680 women with normal cytology. The highest prevalence of any HPV (28.1%) and HR-HPV (15.1%) was observed in age-group 21-30 and showed a continuous decrease in older age-groups. The most common HR-HPV genotypes were HPV-16 (12%), HPV-31 (9.4%), HPV-52 (6%), HPV-51 (5.1%), HPV-45 (4.3%), HPV-58 (4.3%) and HPV-59 (4.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The optimization and automation of the LA HPV genotyping test makes it suited for high throughput HPV detection and typing. The epidemiological data provides information about distribution of HPV genotypes in women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland and may be important for determining the future impact of vaccines and potential changes in the country's epidemiological HPV profile.
Medica, Medizinische Laboratorien Dr F Kaeppeli, Zurich, Switzerland. m.dobec@medica-labor.ch
Marinko
M
Dobec
Fridolin
F
Bannwart
Franz
F
Kaeppeli
Pascal
P
Cassinotti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001331:Automation; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000821:virology*; D013557:Switzerland; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic