HPV DNA detection and typing in inapparent cutaneous infections and premalignant lesions

Epidemiological studies, which address the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of (pre)malignant cutaneous lesions, focus on the HPV B1 subgroup comprising the so-called epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV)-associated HPV types. To detect and type HPV DNA in human materials, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based assays are used. In this chapter, a nested, broad-spectrum PCR method using a mixture of primers and a type-specific PCR using specific primers are described. The broad-spectrum PCR detects the B1 subgroup of HPV types. HPV typing is performed by sequence analysis of the PCR product. The type-specific PCR detects and types HPV 5a, 8, 15, 17, 20, 24, 36, and 38. These HPV types are representative of the B1 subgroup, because they are evenly distributed over the phylogenetic tree of the B1 subgroup.