HPV Genotyping Linear Assay Test Comparison in Cervical Cancer Patients: Implications for HPV Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology in a Limited-resource Area in Bandung, Indonesia

Background: Persistent infection with high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is strongly associated withcervical cancer. Normal cervical cells may also harbor hrHPV, and detection of early hrHPV infection mayminimize risk of cervical cancer development. This study aimed to compare two commercial HPV genotypingassays that may affordable for early screening in a limited-resource setting in Bandung, Indonesia. Materialsand
Methods: DNA from cervical biopsies with histologically confirmed as squamous cell cervical cacinoma wereHPV genotyped by Linear Assay 1 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) or Linear Assay 2 (Digene HPVGenotyping RH Test, Qiagen Gaithersburg, MD). In a subset of samples of each group, HPV genotype results werethen compared.
Results: Of 28 samples genotyped by linear assay 1, 22 (78.6%) demonstrated multiple infectionswith HPV-16 and other hrHPV types 18, 45 and/or 52. In another set of 38 samples genotyped by linear assay 2,28 (68.4%) were mostly single infections by hrHPV type 16 or 18. Interestingly, 4 samples that had been testedby both kits showed discordant results.
Conclusions: In a limited-resource area such as in Indonesia, countrywith a high prevalence of HPV infection a reliable cervical screening test in general population for early hrHPVdetection is needed. Geographical variation in HPV genotyping result might have impacts for HPV prevalenceand molecular epidemiology as the distribution in HPV genotypes should give clear information to assess theimpact of HPV prophylactic vaccines.