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Am J Transl Res 2012;4(4):452-457
Brief Communication
High risk HPV DNA subtypes and E6/E7 mRNA expression in a cohort
of colposcopy patients from Northern Italy with high-grade
histologically verified cervical lesions
Liverani CA, Ciavattini A, Monti E, Puglia D, Mangano S, DI Giuseppe J, Zizzi A, Goteri G, Bolis G
II Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Section of Woman’s Health, Department
of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences
and Public Health, Section of Pathologic Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche/United
Hospitals, Torrette (Ancona), Italy
Received September 17, 2012; accepted October 8, 2012; Epub October 10, 2012; Published October 30, 2012
Abstract: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV DNA genotypes in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial
neoplasia grade 2 or greater (CIN 2+), together with the detection of mRNA transcripts from HPV 16/18/31/33/45.
In 1113 women referred to our colposcopy unit for abnormal cytology, colposcopic assessment was followed by
histologic examination for final diagnosis and by presence of HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA transcripts. A total of
134 CIN 2+ cases were identified. Out of the 134 women with CIN 2+ cervical lesions, 115 cases (85.8%) tested
positive by PCR to HR HPV DNA types, and 19 (14.2%) were HR HPV DNA negative. 68 cases (50.7%) were
positive for HPV DNA 16/18/31/33/45 and of them 50 cases were E6/E7 positive, and 18 were E6/E7 negative. 47
cases (35.1%) were positive for high risk types other than 16/18/31/33/45. HPV 16 is the most frequent genotype
found in histologically confirmed high grade cervical lesions in our series; HPV 31 is the second most frequent
type, contributing significantly to the proportion of women with CIN 2+ lesions in our population and shows a
higher prevalence than HPV 18. Out of the 979 women with lesions less than CIN 2, 588 cases tested positive by
PCR to high risk HPV DNA types (60.1%), and 98 cases were E6/E7 positive from HPV 16/18/31/33/45 (10.1%).
Although HPV DNA and mRNA negative results should be evaluated with caution, since they could represent
“false negatives”, high risk HPV DNA positivity should be assessed carefully with colposcopy before performing
excisional treatments, particularly in adolescents but also in patients who want child, since they may reflect
transient situations. (AJTR1209006).
Keywords: HPV infection, sexually transmitted disease, cervical cancer, HPV DNA, E6/E7 mRNA transcripts; CIN
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Gaia Goteri, Anatomia Patologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche e
Sanità Pubblica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Via Conca 71 60026, Torrette di Ancona (Italy). Tel: 0039-071-596-
4811; Fax: 0039-071-889985; E-mail: g.goteri@univpm.it
Brief Communication
High risk HPV DNA subtypes and E6/E7 mRNA expression in a cohort
of colposcopy patients from Northern Italy with high-grade
histologically verified cervical lesions
Liverani CA, Ciavattini A, Monti E, Puglia D, Mangano S, DI Giuseppe J, Zizzi A, Goteri G, Bolis G
II Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Section of Woman’s Health, Department
of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences
and Public Health, Section of Pathologic Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche/United
Hospitals, Torrette (Ancona), Italy
Received September 17, 2012; accepted October 8, 2012; Epub October 10, 2012; Published October 30, 2012
Abstract: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV DNA genotypes in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial
neoplasia grade 2 or greater (CIN 2+), together with the detection of mRNA transcripts from HPV 16/18/31/33/45.
In 1113 women referred to our colposcopy unit for abnormal cytology, colposcopic assessment was followed by
histologic examination for final diagnosis and by presence of HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA transcripts. A total of
134 CIN 2+ cases were identified. Out of the 134 women with CIN 2+ cervical lesions, 115 cases (85.8%) tested
positive by PCR to HR HPV DNA types, and 19 (14.2%) were HR HPV DNA negative. 68 cases (50.7%) were
positive for HPV DNA 16/18/31/33/45 and of them 50 cases were E6/E7 positive, and 18 were E6/E7 negative. 47
cases (35.1%) were positive for high risk types other than 16/18/31/33/45. HPV 16 is the most frequent genotype
found in histologically confirmed high grade cervical lesions in our series; HPV 31 is the second most frequent
type, contributing significantly to the proportion of women with CIN 2+ lesions in our population and shows a
higher prevalence than HPV 18. Out of the 979 women with lesions less than CIN 2, 588 cases tested positive by
PCR to high risk HPV DNA types (60.1%), and 98 cases were E6/E7 positive from HPV 16/18/31/33/45 (10.1%).
Although HPV DNA and mRNA negative results should be evaluated with caution, since they could represent
“false negatives”, high risk HPV DNA positivity should be assessed carefully with colposcopy before performing
excisional treatments, particularly in adolescents but also in patients who want child, since they may reflect
transient situations. (AJTR1209006).
Keywords: HPV infection, sexually transmitted disease, cervical cancer, HPV DNA, E6/E7 mRNA transcripts; CIN
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Gaia Goteri, Anatomia Patologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche e
Sanità Pubblica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Via Conca 71 60026, Torrette di Ancona (Italy). Tel: 0039-071-596-
4811; Fax: 0039-071-889985; E-mail: g.goteri@univpm.it
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