Simplified PCR-based detection and typing strategy for human papillomaviruses utilizing a single oligonucleotide primer set.

Utilizing the PCR, we have devised a detection and typing system for the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) that are commonly associated with preneoplastic and cancerous lesions of the genital and aero-digestive tracts: HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. Utilizing computer sequence analysis, we designed a single, "consensus" set of oligomeric nucleotide primers capable of amplifying a 571-594-bp region of the E1 open reading frame of all of these HPVs. Detection via PCR amplification is followed by restriction endonuclease digestion of the resultant products that yield distinctive and reproducible banding patterns by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis because of their internal sequence diversity. The system is sensitive, does not require sophisticated molecular biology expertise or radioisotopes and can be modified as new information on HPV types and their relationship to diseases becomes available.