Determination of viral load and DNA status of human papillomavirus type 16 by real-time PCR

Integration of HPV DNA into the host genome is considered to be a key event in malignant transformation. This process results in disruption of El and E2 HPV genes, which is followed by up-regulation of HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes expression. It has been shown in this study that HPV type 16 is the most prevalent high-risk type in women with pathology of the cervix, with the frequency of HPV type 16 detection increasing along with the degree of neoplasia. With the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction the number of HPV type 16 DNA copies and its state were determined in clinical specimens. It was shown that the degree of the disease is associated with viral load and HPV physical state