In the present study, using PCR with SPF10 primers or PCR with GP5+/GP6+ primers combined with Southern blot hybridisation, we detected HPV DNA in 6% of Shandong samples while HPV DNA was positive in 65% of samples from Gansu, where ESCC incidence is much higher than in Shandong. Here, GP6 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.