Detection of Human Papillomavirus in Cervical Gradings by Immunohistochemistry and Typing of HPV 16 and 18 in High-Grades by Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer has a major impact on developing countries, where screening programs are not well established or effective. AIM: This study aims to investigate Human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11 and 18 expression in cervical biopsies by immunohistochemistry, (IHC) followed by typing of high-risk HPV 16 and 18 in high-grades by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: During the study period of six months, 30 biopsy samples were obtained from patients attending various gynecology clinics in and around Trichy District, Tamil Nadu, between January and June 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ecto- and endoscopic biopsy specimens of the cervix were fixed in 10% buffered formalin; routine paraffin sections were taken for processing and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The samples were graded as Normal cervicitis, Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, II, III, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), for original diagnosis by pathologists. The extra sections were studied for the expression of HPV 6, 11 and 18 by immunohistochemistry and HPV DNA 16 and18 by PCR. RESULTS: Out of thirty samples, 15 expressed positive and 15 negative for HPV marker. Twenty-seven cases of cervical gradings have been categorized into high grade CIN II/III, SCC (23) and low grade CIN I (4). The high grades were subjected to PCR for high-risk typing. The results revealed that 15 cases were positive for HPV genotype 16 and eight cases for HPV genotype 18. The prevalence of HPV infection was found to be higher in women aged between 50 and 59. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a significant detection of HPV in the South Indian suspected individuals, by the use of advanced techniques such as IHC and PCR.