More than 70 types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been identified, and are generally classified as high-risk or low-risk depending on their relationship or lack of relationship with cancer and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2-3). HPV viruses are predominantly sexually transmitted and high-risk HPV types are a major risk factor for development of cervical cancer. Low-risk HPV types 6 and 11 have been associated with the presence of genital warts. There are many other low-risk HPV types that are not associated with genital warts or cervical cancer. Until now, HPV cannot be cultured in vitro, and immunological tests are inadequate to determine the presence of HPV cervical infection. On the other hand, biopsies can be analyzed by nucleic acid hybridization to directly detect the presence of HPV DNA. HPV 16 and HPV 18 have been considered as high-risk cancer associated HPV types. HPV types 31, 33, and 35 have been shown to have an intermediate relationship with cancer. These five HPV types together accounts for about 80% of cervical cancers. Additional high- and intermediate-risk HPV DNA types, including types 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68, have been identified as the principal HPVs detectable in the remaining cancers.

For research use only and NOT intended for in vitro diagnostics.