Detection of HPV‐16 in cell lines and cervical lavage specimens by a polymerase chain reaction‐enzyme immunoassay assay

A gene amplification method that combines the polymerase chain reaction with detection of amplified DNA in a solution hybridization/enzyme immunoassay (PCR‐EIA) was developed for HPV‐16 DNA. Samples were amplified with primers for the E7‐E1 region of HPV‐16. Amplified DNA products were identified and quantitated by hybridization in solution with a biotinylated RNA probe. Labeled DNA/RNA hybrids were measured semiquantitatively in an enzyme immunoassay using solid phase anti‐biotin antibody and liquid phase B‐d‐galactosidase labeled monoclonal antibody against DNA‐RNA hybrids. Enzyme bound to the solid phase was quantitated with a fluorogenic substrate. The assay was linear over 2 log₁₀ dilutions of SiHa cells and the detection limit was three copies of HPV‐16 genome. The sensitivity of PCR‐EIA for detection of PCR amplified products compared favorably with slot and Southern blots using a ³²P‐labeled RNA probe. The assay was used to assess HPV‐16 infection of uterine cervix in women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Twenty‐one of the 81 specimens (25.9%), obtained by cervicovaginal lavage, were positive for HPV‐16 by PCR‐EIA. The assay provides a convenient means to objectively measure HPV DNA amplified with PCR. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.