Human papillomavirus DNA in urine samples compared with that in simultaneously collected urethra and cervix samples

A polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in urine samples compared with that in urethra and cervix samples simultaneously collected with brushes. Of 138 presumably healthy military conscripts, 12 (8%) had HPV DNA-positive urethra samples and 8 (5%) had HPV DNA-positive urine samples. Both the urine and urethra cell samples of five men were positive, with identical types found in the paired specimens. Seven had HPV DNA-positive urethra samples only, and three had HPV DNA-positive urine samples only. Five of 7 urethra samples from males and 11 of 12 urethra samples from females, who were among patients consulting a clinic for adolescents, were positive for HPV DNA. Among those patients whose urethras were positive for HPV DNA, the corresponding urine samples of 3 of the 5 men and all the 11 women were also positive, with one or two HPV types being in common within the paired samples. Among female patients referred to a colposcopy clinic, 49% (241 of 489) of the cervical cell samples and 38% (187 of 489) of the urine specimens were found to be HPV DNA positive. Of the patients whose cervixes were positive for HPV DNA, 65% (158 of 241) of the simultaneously collected urine samples were also positive for HPV DNA. On the other hand, 84% (158 of 187) of the patients with HPV DNA in their urine also had HPV DNA in their cervical samples. Although not all individuals with genital HPV infections could be identified as HPV positive by analysis of urine samples, at least in epidemiological surveys in which invasive samples are difficult to obtain, such as from children, analysis of urine could be an alternative means of identifying HPV DNA.