Introduction

The International HPV Reference Center continues its efforts in advancing towards quality and order in human papillomavirus research and diagnostics.

Methods

The International HPV Reference Center is responsible for assigning HPV type numbers to novel HPV types, maintaining a reference clone repository, distributing samples of the reference material for research use, issuing international proficiency panels for HPV genotyping and supporting the International HPV Animal Reference Center. All services are described in detail in the corresponding webpage: https://www.hpvcenter.se.

Results

The established HPV types, currently up to HPV220, belong to 5 different genera: alpha (65 types), beta (53 types), gamma (98 types), mu (3 types) and nu (1 type). In the last 5 years, 86% (24/28) of all novel HPV types belong to the gamma genus.

Since the Center was transferred to KI in 2012, reference clones (611 plasmids) have been provided to 78 different research laboratories, and the global proficiency program for HPV genotyping has seen an increasing participation (currently >145 laboratories) and complete proficiency has increased over time (from <50% to 80% of datasets).

The International HPV Reference Center has achieved open access to all genotypes sequences and data and, provides up to date e-learning lectures and webinars to the scientific community.

Conclusions

In summary, an increasing complexity of the HPVs requires international efforts to support a recognized quality and order among HPV types.