title: E6/E7 mRNA expression of high-risk HPV types in 849 Greek women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) geno typing and high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression in 849 women.
  
  
  METHODS
  849 Cervical samples were obtained from patients attending an outpatient clinic to have their annual gynaecological check-up. All patients underwent a conventional Pap test. The patients were also offered HPV test with the knowledge that it is not part of the screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 41.3%, while E6/E7 mRNA expression was found in 20.7% of the patients. HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA expression were detected in 21.1% and 9.1% of normal cytological samples, respectively, 38.1% and 23.8% of atypical squamous cells of unknown significance, 84.8% and 40.7% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 96.4% and 89.3% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, respectively. HPV 16 was the most frequent genotype identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E6/E7mRNA detection might be useful as a screening marker for the early prediction of active infections and subsequent progression to severe dysplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, St. Savvas, Regional Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece. +30 2106409461, epanot@tee.gr.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Argyri
authors.forename: Elpida
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsimplaki
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daskalopoulou
authors.forename: Dimitrios J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stravopodis
authors.forename: Ourania
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kouikoglou
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terzakis
authors.forename: Efstathia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panotopoulou
mesh_terms: D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: E6; E7; Greece; HPV