A Correlation of Immunohistochemical and Molecular Detection of Human Papilloma Virussubtypes 16 and 18

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection involved in the development of more than 90 % of cases of cervical cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess role of IHC for detection of HPV subtypes 16 and 18, as compared to molecular identification. Methodology: A total of 84 cervical cancer tissues that were previously diagnosed as having cervical cancer, were investigated for the presence of HPV subtypes 16 and 18. Both immunohistochemistry and molecular (Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)). Results: In application of molecular (PCR) testing for HPV subtypes 16 and 18; 62/84 (73.8 %) were found positive for HPV subtype 16 and the remaining 22/84 (26.2 %) were negative. On the other hand, on testing the samples for HPV subtype 18; 23/84 (27.4 %) were found positive and the remaining 61/84 (72.6 %) were found negative. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry using clone K1H8 (anti-HPV) is considerably lower-priced, and has reasonable specificity to be applied in Yemen for screening for HR_HPV.