Comparison of dot filter hybridization, southern transfer hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction amplification for diagnosis of anal human papillomavirus infection

The detection and classification of human papillomavirus (HPV) by a consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique were compared with detection and classification by dot filter hybridization (DFH) and Southern transfer hybridization (STH). PCR detected HPV in 87% of specimens; the detection rates for DFH and STH were 51% and 49%, respectively. The specific HPV types detected by STH were also detected by PCR in 90% of specimens. However, 75% of the samples positive for unclassified HPV by STH were typed by PCR. PCR results were reproducible, as assessed by repeat analysis (96% agreement), by analysis of paired same-day specimens (89% agreement), and by interlaboratory analysis (88% agreement). PCR is a sensitive, specific, and reproducible test for HPV detection and classification in clinical and epidemiologic studies.