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Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Infectious diseases > Sexually transmitted infection > Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Achieve better outcomes with patient-focused testing

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S.1 Although most types of HPV are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously, several different types are considered high-risk for cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Because nonspecific symptom presentation and contradictory test results can present an unclear picture of whether patients might be affected by high-risk variants, diagnosis can be challenging.

Our menu of molecular testing for HPV can clarify the specific subtype and plays an important role in early detection and disease management. These polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays offer high sensitivity and specificity for the detection and genotyping of HPV subtypes.

42 million

42 million people in the U.S. have types of HPV known to cause disease1

80%

80% of women will acquire at least one type of HPV in their lifetime2

40

40 different types of HPV can be passed through sexual contact

14

14 types of HPV are high-risk for cervical cancer and precursor lesions

99%

99% of cervical cancers worldwide are associated with the presence of HPV infection3

HPV Test menu

Molecular testing Molecular testing
Self-collect molecular testing Self-collect molecular testing

Molecular testing

Certain HPV genotypes, such as HPV types 16 and 18, are high-risk for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions.

  • HPV-16 is the most carcinogenic and is associated with approximately 60% of all cervical cancers.
  • HPV-18 accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of cervical cancers.

Nucleic acid (DNA) testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a noninvasive way to determine the presence of a cervical HPV infection. When used correctly, this testing can:

  • Improve cervical cancer screening by detecting high-risk lesions earlier in women 30 years and older with normal cytology results.
  • Reduce unnecessary procedures, such as colposcopy, and treatment in patients 21 and older with cytology results showing atypical, unclear changes.

Individual genotyping for HPV types 16 and 18 can help determine follow-up testing and treatment for individuals at risk for progression to cervical cancer.

Key testing

Advantages

  • Uses qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect 14 high-risk HPV genotypes associated with the development of cervical cancer.
  • Aids in triaging women who have abnormal Pap smear results.
  • Allows for individual genotyping of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 if present.
    • Results of HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotyping can aid in triaging women with positive high-risk-HPV but negative Pap smear results.
  • Useful for the clinical monitoring and management of patients with HPV.

Self-collect molecular testing

Key testing

  • SCHPV | Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Detection and High-Risk Genotyping, Self-Collect, PCR, Vaginal
    • Uses qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect 14 high-risk PHV genotypes associated with the development of cervical cancer.
    • Aids in triaging women who have abnormal Pap smear results.
    • Allows for individual genotyping of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 if present.
      • Results of HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotyping can aid in triaging women with positive high-risk-HPV but negative Pap smear results.
    • Useful for the clinical monitoring and management of patients with HPV.
    • NOTE: Patients should avoid using feminine hygiene products for approximately 24 hours prior to self-collection, as feminine hygiene products that contain carbomer have been associated with invalid results by the HPV detection/genotyping assay. 

Highlights

Self-Collection Testing Expands to New Areas: Elitza Theel, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, discuss the latest developments in self-collection testing for women’s health and beyond.

Learn more
References
  1. About HPV/ Centers for Disease Control Human Papillomavirus. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/index.html. Updated July 3, 2024. Accessed April 16, 2026.
  2. Myers ER, McCrory DC, Nanda K, Bastian L, Matchar DB. (2000). Mathematical model for the natural history of human papillomavirus infection and cervical carcinogenesis. Am J Epidemiol; 151:1158–1170.
  3. Okunade KS. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Jul;40(5):602-608. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1634030. Epub 2019 Sep 10. Erratum in: J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 May;40(4):590. doi:10.1080/01443615.2020.1713592. PMID: 31500479; PMCID: PMC7062568.