Detection of high-risk HPV types by the hybrid capture 2 test

A hybrid capture test that can be used to detect at least 13 high‐risk HPV types (referred to collectively as HPV‐HR) in cervical scrapes (Hybrid Capture 2 probe set B, HC2‐B) was evaluated. The HC2‐B test is accurate and highly reproducible and the results obtained show excellent agreement with those obtained by a multiplexed type‐specific polymerase chain reaction (mts‐PCR). An additional assay to identify a subset of HPV‐HR types may improve specificity without compromising sensitivity in HC2‐B positive specimens with a test result close to the cut‐off value given by 1 pg/ml HPV DNA. J. Med. Virol. 65:155–162, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.