Conclusions
Although this study is a not a direct comparison between two diagnostic methods because it has a sequential structure, it serves to verify the impact of a new molecular assay on HPV distribution. Moreover, the stability of HPV prevalence over time suggests that the population composition and the behavioral variables did not likely change during the observation period. Our study proposes that the introduction of a molecular test for HPV detection may be related to changes of HPV genotypes distribution.
Methods
In total, 1742 samples collected from 1433 patients were analyzed at the UOC Microbiology and Virology of Policlinico of Bari, Italy. HPV DNA detection was performed using initially nested PCR and subsequently multiplex real-time PCR assay.
Results
Statistically significant difference in HPV overall prevalence after the introduction of the real-time assay was not detected (48.97% vs. 50.62%). According to different extraction-DNA amplification methods, differences were observed in the prevalence rates of HPV-45, 68, 40, 42, and 43. The lowest prevalence for HPV-45 was observed in the Magna Pure-Real Time PCR group, while HPV-68, 40, 42, and 43 were less observed in the Qiagen-Real Time PCR group. After, a multivariate logistic regression, an increase in the prevalence of HPV-42 (aOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.71-9.73) was associated with the multiplex real-time PCR assay. Conclusions: Although this study is a not a direct comparison between two diagnostic methods because it has a sequential structure, it serves to verify the impact of a new molecular assay on HPV distribution. Moreover, the stability of HPV prevalence over time suggests that the population composition and the behavioral variables did not likely change during the observation period. Our study proposes that the introduction of a molecular test for HPV detection may be related to changes of HPV genotypes distribution.