Human papillomavirus type 16 infection of the cervix: a comparison of differing DNA detection modes and the use of monoclonal antibodies against the major capsid protein.

An immuno-peroxidase technique using monoclonal antibodies against the major capsid protein L1 of HPV-16 was compared with dot-blot hybridisation of cervical scrapes and in situ hybridisation of cervical biopsy specimens for HPV-16 DNA. In a series of 20 patients all techniques were specific for HPV-16 infection. Ten patients were positive by dot-blot hybridisation and half of those were positive by in situ hybridisation. Only one of HPV-16 DNA positive cases showed L1 protein expression, apparently shortly after the onset of clinical infection. Whether major capsid protein expression reflects episodes of viral replication deserves further study.