Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: March 11, 2014
Interest of human papillomavirus DNA quantification and genotyping in paired cervical and urine samples to detect
A Ducancelle1, M C Legrand, A Pivert
1Laboratoire de Virologie, UPRES EA 3859, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49000, Angers, France, alducancelle@chu-angers.fr.
Background:
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Conventional human papillomavirus (HPV) testing requires cervical sampling. However, vaginal and urine self-sampling methods are more acceptable for patients and result in increased participation when they are available in screening programs. In this context, we have developed a non-invasive screening method via the detection of HPV DNA in urine samples.
Purpose:
To compare HPV viral loads and genotypes in paired cervical and urine samples, and to assess correlation between virological and cytological results in women seeking gynecological consultation.
Methods:
Paired urine and cervical specimens were collected and analyzed from 230 of 245 women participating in the previously described prospective PapU study. HPV DNA detection and quantification were performed using a real-time PCR method with short fragment PCR primers. Genotyping was carried out using the INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping assay.
Results:
The prevalence of HPV in the 230 paired urine and cervical smear samples was 42 and 49 %, respectively. Overall agreement for HPV positivity and negativity between the paired samples was 90 % (κ = 0.80). High HPV viral load in both cervical and urine samples was associated with cytological abnormalities. HPV-positive women were mostly infected with HR-HPV types. The agreement between high- and low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) detection in both samples was 97 % (κ = 0.95 for HR-HPV and κ = 0.97 for LR-HPV).
Conclusions:
High concordance rates for HPV-DNA quantification and high/low-risk HPV genotyping in paired urine/cervical samples suggest that urinary HPV DNA testing could be useful for cervical lesion screening.
