Efficient DNA extraction for HPV genotyping in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

DNA from archived FFPE can be used for papillomavirus genotyping, but potential problems include paraffin as a physical barrier, DNA cross-linking, and PCR inhibitors. To address these complications, we combined a commercially available DNA isolation kit (Qiagen DNeasy) with a heat treatment and evaluated the resulting DNA with regards to HPV typing. DNA was extracted from 10-μm sections from 150 FFPE cancer samples.

Impact of HPV assay on observed population prevalence.

Type-specific surveillance of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been proposed as an early indicator of vaccine impact. Longitudinal comparison of HPV typing results requires stable assays with high type-specific reproducibility. Assays are evolving and the impact of even minor changes in the assay format may be difficult to anticipate.

Prevalence of HPV infection among females in the United States.

Context: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. Baseline population prevalence data for HPV infection in the United States before widespread availability of a prophylactic HPV vaccine would be useful.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HPV among females in the United States.