ABSTRACT
Various human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been strongly implicated as etiological agents in human cervical cancer. The primary method for detection of high-risk HPVs is still the Papanicolaou-stained (Pap) smear. However, the Pap smear has some limitations, including high false-negative rates. Using consensus and specific primer-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we investigated 55 women with normal cervical cytology. HPV DNA was found in 11 women (20%), including HPV-16 in 6 cases (10.9%), HPV-6 in 3 cases (5.5%), HPV-6/18 in 1 case (1.8%) and HPV-6/33 in 1 case (1.8%). The obtained results demonstrate the importance of careful follow-up and repeated testing for HPV persistence. Moreover, these findings raise the possibility that HPV diagnostics by molecular virology techniques might be useful as an adjunct to Pap smear screening.