If Papillomavirus Found Universally in Epidermal Tissues, what does that Mean if a PCR Pap Test is Positive?

Present evidence infers that if degenerate consensus polymerase chain reaction sets were available to amplify all human papillomavirus (HPV) types found in skin, the virus would be found universally in all human epithelia skin. This explains existence of two or more HPV types found in verruca vulgaris, and presence of genital HPV carriage in virgins. HPV colonization probably offers some protective properties to the host.

With the development of real-time polymerase chain reaction and mRNA testing for cervical neoplasia, a question remains as to clinical significance of a positive smear in the absence of clinical disease. In summary, if there is only one genotype of virus present on Pap smear, this is totally normal and there may be no pathology to address.