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Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in urine. A review of the literature

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Abstract

The detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in urine, a specimen easily obtained by a non-invasive self-sampling method, has been the subject of a considerable number of studies. This review provides an overview of 41 published studies; assesses how different methods and settings may contribute to the sometimes contradictory outcomes; and discusses the potential relevance of using urine samples in vaccine trials, disease surveillance, epidemiological studies, and specific settings of cervical cancer screening. Urine sampling, storage conditions, sample preparation, DNA extraction, and DNA amplification may all have an important impact on HPV DNA detection and the form of viral DNA that is detected. Possible trends in HPV DNA prevalence in urine could be inferred from the presence of risk factors or the diagnosis of cervical lesions. HPV DNA detection in urine is feasible and may become a useful tool but necessitates further improvement and standardization.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Industrial Research Fund (with the participation of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) of the University of Antwerp (IOF/SBO 3501/3494). The funding sources had no role in the study design, collection of data, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Conflicts of interest

Pierre van Damme is the promoter, and Margareta Ieven and Johannes Bogers are the co-promoters of this research project, for which the University obtains a 10% financial contribution from GSK Biologicals. Alex Vorsters, Isabel Micalessi, and Joke Bilcke have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium

    A. Vorsters, I. Micalessi & P. Van Damme

  2. Applied Molecular Biology Research, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium

    I. Micalessi & J. Bogers

  3. Centre for Health Economic Evaluations and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium

    J. Bilcke

  4. Laboratory for Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium

    M. Ieven

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  1. A. Vorsters
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Correspondence to A. Vorsters.

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Authors and contributors

Alex Vorsters is responsible for the conception and structure of the review, literature and patent search, data extraction, and interpretation of the data.

Isabel Micalessi provided a substantial contribution to the literature and patent search.

Joke Bilcke investigated and reported on the feasibility to perform a meta-analysis.

Isabel Micalessi, Joke Bilcke, Margareta Ieven, Johannes Bogers, and Pierre Van Damme provided a substantial contribution to the conception and design of the manuscript, interpretation of the data, and critical revision of the paper.

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Vorsters, A., Micalessi, I., Bilcke, J. et al. Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in urine. A review of the literature. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 627–640 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1358-z

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