Detection and typing of minimal human papillomavirus DNA in plasma.

Objective: For clinical study of minute human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA such as those in plasma, a sensitive method that can detect a broad spectrum of HPV type is needed.

Method: A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which utilized a consensus primer set nested to the widely utilized MY09/MY11 primer set was developed. The HPV genotype was determined by restriction digestion of the PCR product followed by agarose gel electrophoresis.