[Detection of human papillomavirus in cervical tissues using polymerase chain reaction].

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out in patients with normal cervix 53 cases, Chronic cervicitis with cervical erosion 59 cases, cervical cancer 12 cases, atypical hyperplasia 3 cases and condyloma acuminatum 2 cases. Results showed that a significantly higher detective rate of HPV-16 and 18 DNA in cervical cancer than in normal cervix, and a higher but not statistically significant positive rate than that in cervical erosion. It indicates that some cases of chronic cervicitis with HPV infection might develop into cervical carcinoma. This finding may help in the early discovery and prevention of cervical cancer.