Human papillomavirus DNA in glandular lesions of the uterine cervix.

AIMS To assess the role of human papillomavirus in the pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma in situ, endocervical glandular dysplasia (a presumed precursor of adenocarcinoma) and endocervical glandular epithelial giant cell change. METHODS Viral detection was carried out using an in situ hybridisation technique on paraffin wax sections. Biotinylated probes for human papillomavirus types 6/11, 16/18, 31/33/35 were used with a colorimetric detection system. RESULTS Nine out of 21 (43%) cases of adenocarcinoma in situ contained human papillomavirus types 16/18, one of which was also positive for 31/33/35. Ten cases of glandular dysplasia and four cases of glandular epithelial multinucleation did not react with the probes used. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that while adenocarcinoma in situ is strongly associated with human papillomavirus infection, endocervical glandular dysplasia and glandular epithelial multinucleation are probably not associated with the virus.