HPV Genotyping from the high risk mRNA Aptima assay- a direct approach using DNA from Aptima sample tubes

The underlying cause of cervical cancer is an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) and HPV testing can be used for cervical cancer screening. The Aptima HPV assay from Hologic is an mRNA HPV test used to identify clinically relevant infections but the method does not discriminate between the different high risk genotypes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate if analyzed Aptima sample transfer tubes could be used as a source for HPV genotyping, using sample DNA. Study samples (n=108); were HPV-tested with mRNA Aptima assay and in parallel DNA was extracted and genotyped with Anyplex II HPV28. Analyzed mRNA Aptima tubes were thereafter used as source for a second DNA extraction and genotyping. Using mRNA Aptima result as reference, 90% of the samples (35/39) were high risk positive with the Anyplex II HPV28. Cohen's kappa 0.78 (95% CI: 0.66-0.90), sensitivity 0.90 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97) and specificity 0.90 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96). Two discordant samples carried low-risk genotypes (HPV 82 and HPV 44) and two were negative. DNA-genotyping results, in parallel to and after mRNA testing, were compared and differed significantly (McNemar test: P=0.021) possibly due to sample extraction volume difference. Cohen's kappa 0.81 (95% CI: 0.70-0.92), sensitivity 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74-0.93) and specificity 0.98 (95% CI: 0.88-1.00). In conclusion, analyzed mRNA Aptima sample tubes could be used as a source for DNA HPV genotyping. The sample volume used for extraction needs to be further explored.