Interpretation of Test Results for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genes Detection
Table of Contents
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are small double-stranded (ds) DNA viruses that belong to the family of Papillomaviridae. having a circular genome of the size of approximately 7.9-kilobases. There are more than 100 types of HPV that have been identified, so far among them, certain HPV types called high-risk HPV (hrHPV) like HPV 16 and 18, are associated with the induction of mucosal lesions that can progress to malignancy. The viral genome contains early (E) and late (L) genes, which encode proteins necessary for the early and late stages of the HPV life cycle, respectively. The E6 and E7 gene products of hrHPV types have carcinogenic properties and are necessary for the malignant transformation of the host cell.
Malignant progression is often associated with viral integration into the genome of the host cell. Integration results in the interruption of the viral genome in a region that may extend from the E1 to the L1 open reading frame (ORF). This may have consequences for PCR-mediated amplification of viral DNA in these regions. As initiation and maintenance of the transformed phenotype depend on the continuous expression of the viral oncoproteins, the viral E6/E7 region is invariably retained in integrated viral genomes in cervical cancers. The QIAscreen HPV PCR Test targets a conserved region within the E7 gene.
HPV genes detection using real-time PCR is both a screening and confirmatory test of Human papillomaviruses that is responsible for malignant transformation of the host cell. The human papillomaviruses (HPV) nucleic acid test kit is a multiplex, real-time PCR test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the human papillomaviruses in the specimens such as a cervical specimen(scrape) sample or self-collected vaginal brush specimens or self-collected cervicovaginal lavage specimens in respective preservative solutions of HPV 16 gene, HPV 18, HPV Others and human housekeeping gene β-globin.
The QIAscreen Human Papillomavirus (HPV) PCR Test is a multiplex, real-time PCR-based test and it is directed against the E7 gene of 15 hrHPV types that uses fluorescent probes for the detection of one or more accumulating PCR products/ amplicons. During each PCR cycle, the fluorescent signal increases in a logarithmic manner, causing an amplification curve. After completion of the reaction, the result will be determined through analysis of the cycle threshold (Ct) of each channel. The multiplex format permits the simultaneous detection of four different fluorescent dyes per reaction, with each fluorescent dye representing different targets. HPV 16, HPV 18, 13 other hrHPV types (as a pool), and the human β-globin gene are the four different targets.
This assay separately detects HPV 16, HPV 18, and the pool of 13 other hrHPV genotypes. Moreover, the kit is designed with the human β-globin gene is a housekeeping gene and it is used for monitoring sampling, extraction, specimen addition, amplification, and other related processes as an internal standard to effectively prevent false positive and false negative results, so as to ensure the specificity and accuracy of the test results.
Extra we need-
All reagents must be thawed completely before use. After mixing centrifuge them at 6000 rpm for a few seconds before use.
The nucleic acid extraction kit will be used for specimen extraction. The extracted nucleic acid /template will be tested immediately, or it shall be stored at -20 °C. No extraction is required for this test kit (Qiagen) for positive and negative controls. Use recommended commercial nucleic acid extraction kit.
The volume of master mix per reaction is multiplied by the number of samples, which includes the number of the control and samples prepared. For reasons of unprecise pipetting, always add an extra virtual sample. Mix completely and then spin down briefly with a centrifuge/short spinner.
| Number of Reaction | Total Volume per Reaction |
| QIAscreen Master Mix | 15 µl |
Pipet 15 µl Master mix with micropipette of sterile tips to each of the Real-Time PCR reaction plates /tubes. Separately add a 5 µl template (negative control and nucleic acid extracted from specimen, positive control) to different reaction plates /tubes. Immediately close the plates/tubes to avoid contamination, centrifuge the mixture instantaneously in order to collect the Master Mix in the bottom of the reaction tubes.
| Component Name | Dosage for a patient |
| Master Mix | 15 µl |
| Extracted DNA/Template | 5 µl |
| Total Volume | 20 µl |
Put the complete PCR reaction tube into the fluorescent quantitative PCR analyzer (thermocycler-Rotor-Gene Q MDx 5plex HRM (CA) or Rotor-Gene Q bur here used QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR), set the positive quality control detection hole, and set the specimen name.
Total reaction system: 20 µl
The cycle parameter setting is shown in the table.
| Stage | Temperature | Duration | Cycle Number | Fluorescence Collection |
| Hold (Predegeneration) | 95°C | 2 Min | 1 | No |
| Degeneration inside cycle | 95°C | 5 Sec | 1 | No |
| Annealing and extension inside the cycle | 60 °C | 30 Sec | 40 | Yes |
Note-There is no reference fluorescence for the kit, and select “None” for the quencher; save the file after setting, and run the reaction program.
Fluorescence detection channel selection: FAM, CY5, VIC, and ROX channels are selected for detection: FAM is the HPV 16 gene indicator channel, CY5 is the HPV 18, VIC is the HPV Others indicator channel, and ROX is the internal control β-globin indicator channel.
| Target | Detection Control |
| β-globin | Orange (ROX) |
| HPV 16 | Green (FAM) |
| HPV 18 | Red (CY5) |
| HPV Other | Yellow (VIC) |
After the reaction is completed, the system saves the results automatically, and the baseline and the threshold of each detection are adjusted according to the image after analysis. Click Analysis for the analysis and make the parameters meet the requirements in quality control and then check the result of each unknown specimen.
Negative quality control: No exponential increase in any channel amplification plot or Ct≥40.
Positive control: The amplification plots of the fours channels, i.e FAM (Ct<30), CY5 (<30), VIC (<32), and β-globin (<29). Note-The above two items must be satisfied in the same test at the same time, or the test is deemed invalid and the detection will be carried out again.
Based on the clinical specimen test results the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve method is adopted to determine the cut-off ( CO) value of these kits as follows.
Result Interpretation Table
| Ct value HPV target(s) | Ct value βglobin | Interpretation |
| HPV 16 and/or HPV 18 <36 and/or HPV Other <33.5 | ≤30 | HPV positive |
| HPV 16 and HPV 18 ≥36 or not defined and HPV Other ≥33.5 or not defined | ≤30 | HPV negative |
| HPV 16 and HPV 18 ≥36 or not defined and HPV Other ≥33.5 or not defined | >30 | Test Invalid |
| Patient Name: … | Age/Sex: … |
| Specimen Type: Cervical swab | Date of Sample Collection:… |
| Date of the sample received: … | |
| Reported Date: … | |
| Referred by:… |
| HPV High Carcinogenic Risk Genotyping | Finding |
| HPV Genotype 16 | Not Detected |
| HPV Genotype 18 | Not Detected |
| Other types HPV (26,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,53,56,58,59,66,68,73 and 82) | Not Detected |
| Test | Result |
| HPV DNA Detection | Negative |
Note: The report should be on the organization sheet with signature/s and NMC/NHPC registration number of laboratory personnel who are involved in testing and reporting.
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