Principles and analytical performance of Abbott RealTime High Risk HPV test

Background: Abbott RealTime High Risk (HR) HPV is a new automated, qualitative real-time PCR test for detection of DNA from 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) in cervical specimens. The test can also differentiate between HPV 16, HPV 18 and non-HPV 16/18 types in a single reaction. Objectives: This article describes the principles of assay design and the analytical performance of Abbott RealTime HR HPV. Study Design: The analytical performance characteristics of Abbott RealTime HR HPV were evaluated in terms of its sensitivity for each of the 14 high-risk types included in the test, specificity (cross-reactivity), potential for interference by substances that may be present in cervical specimens, and reproducibility. Results: Abbott RealTime HR HPV provided sensitive detection of the 14 high-risk HPV types included in the test. It was also highly specific to the HPV types targeted by the test and did not show cross-reactivity with 15 low-risk HPV types tested, or non-specific reactivity with other common microorganisms that may be present in the female anogenital tract. Test results were not impacted by potential interfering substances evaluated in the study. The test generated highly reproducible results in an in-house study and in studies carried out at 13 external evaluation sites. Conclusions: Abbott RealTime HR HPV demonstrated a robust analytical performance with reproducible and reliable results. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.