DETECTION OF HUMAN POLYOMAVIRUS DNA IN PAPANICOLAOU STAINED SMEARS OF URINARY SEDIMENT BY INSITU HYBRIDIZATION

Papanicolaou stained smears of urinary sediment containing inclusion bearing urothelial cells suggestive of human polyomavirus infection were destained and reprocessed for in situ hybridization using a biotinylated probe for human polyomavirus DNA. Seven slides were processed in this way. A hybridization signal for viral DNA was noted in each case, even in smears that had previously been stored for 11 years. This simple and rapid non-radioactive detection system is a valuable supplement to routine urinary cytology for the definitive diagnosis of this virus infection.