Comparison of three management strategies for patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, after six months delay: A three-year experience in an Iranian university hospital

Background: A Pap test result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) presents a clinical challenge. Only 5–10% of women with ASCUS harbour serious cervical disease.
Methods: We screened 3619 women, who attended to Mirza Koochak Khan Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences with Pap smears, of whom 100 returned with ASCUS. After six months, each subject underwent a standard cytology (conventional Pap smear), human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing (identifying high-risk HPV types with polymerase chain reaction) and colposcopy with multiple cervical biopsies.
Results: Mean age was 44.09 ± 8.6 years. The estimated prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II or higher was 4%. When histologically verified high-grade lesions (≥ CIN II) were observed, the relative sensitivity of HPV DNA testing was 100% compared with conventional Pap smear, which performed 75% versus 100% relative sensitivity, respectively, using cytological diagnosis high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) as the cut-off. Negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of Pap test were 98.9% and 100%. The NPV and PPV of HPV DNA testing were 100%.
Conclusions: Although less complicated than colposcopy, the repeat Pap smear triage algorithm for ASCUS may underdiagnose some women with high-grade CIN, when compared with colposcopy. Considering the high sensitivity of HPV testing, it may be useful as an alternative to the current policy of six-month repeat cytology for women with ASCUS results.     

Human papilloma virus testing in patient follow-up post cone biopsy due to high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the contribution of the human papilloma virus (HPV) load in planning follow-up and management of women post cone biopsy for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2-3). METHODS: Ninety-six suitable women were followed-up by Pap smears: two consecutive abnormal smears dictated referral for colposcopy-directed biopsy. Before colposcopy, HPV tests determined high-risk HPV DNA type and load (Hybrid Capture System type I). Patients histologically diagnosed with CIN1 or CIN2-3 underwent repeat conization or hysterectomy for residual disease. HPV load was compared to cytology for the detection of residual disease. RESULTS: At follow-up, 20/89 (22.4%) studied women had positive cytology reports of either low- (n = 11) or high-grade (n = 9) squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Colposcopic biopsies diagnosed 9 CIN1 and 8 CIN2-3 cases. Residual disease was corroborated in 16/17 (94.1%) women and the status was readjusted based on cone biopsy/hysterectomy: CIN2-3 in 9 and CIN1 in 7. The positive prediction values for CIN2-3 residual disease with high-grade SIL, CIN2-3 on colposcopic punch biopsy, and high HPV load were 89, 100, and 100%, respectively. For CIN1 residual disease with low-grade SIL, CIN1 on colposcopic punch biopsy, and low and borderline HPV load, they were 54.5, 77.7, and 100%. The HPV load was a more accurate predictor for CIN1 or CIN2-3 on the cervical specimen in cases with low-grade SIL or CIN1 on colposcopic biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating HPV loads after a positive cytology report may assist in triaging women post conization biopsy for CIN2-3 to appropriate treatment. Its high positive predictive value, specificity, and sensitivity for CIN1 and CIN2-3 and supplementary information could be especially pertinent for clinical management of low-grade SIL cases.     

Prognostic markers of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions: the role of p16INK4a and high-risk human papillomavirus

BACKGROUND: p16INK4a seems to be an indicator of the grade of Human Papillomavirus-induced lesions and a possible predictor of the lesion evolution. There are few studies about the role of HPV test and p16INK4a in diagnosis of high-grade cervical lesions in South-American women. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of p16INK4a and high-risk HPV-DNA expression in cases diagnosed as squamous intra-epithelial lesion and evaluate their role in the approach of high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion. METHODS: p16INK4a and high-risk Human papillomavirus were investigated in 96 samples of the cervix (13 cases of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 26 cases of low grade intraepithelial lesions and 57 normal tissues). The p16INK4a was identified by immunohistochemistry using the p16INK4a kit (E6H4 clone, DakoCytomation, Carpinteria, CA) and Human papillomavirus DNA was classified by hybrid capture (Digene). Associations were evaluated by the KAPPA index. RESULTS: The p16INK4a was detected in 92.3% of the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, in 15.4% of the low-grade and in none of the normal tissues. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for high-grade lesion were 92.3%, 100%, 100%, and 98.3%, respectively when considering p16INK4a expression, and 100%, 70.2%, 43.3% and 100%, respectively when considering high-risk HPV. CONCLUSIONS: p16INK4a test was better associated with high-grade intraepithelial lesion (kappa = 0.95) than was the presence of high-risk HPV (kappa = 0.47). Both tests could be complementary to high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion screening and help to define the diagnosis of the inconclusive low-grade/high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases.     

子宫颈液基细胞学检查异常的涂片中人乳头状瘤病毒L1蛋白的表达及其意义

目的 探讨人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)L1蛋白在官颈液基细胞学检查异常涂片中的表达及其意义.方法 选择2006年9月-2008年9月间,在中日友好医院就诊的官颈液基细胞学检查诊断为≥未明确诊断意义的不典型鳞状上皮细胞(ASCUS),且其第2代杂交捕获试验(HC-Ⅱ)榆测HPV DNA结果均为阳性,同时有组织病理学诊断的患者共274例.其中,宫颈液基细胞学检查诊断为ASCUS 105例、低度鳞状上皮内病变(LSIL)119例、不除外高度病变的不典型鳞状上皮细胞(ASC-H)9例、高度鳞状上皮内病变(HSIL)36例、官颈鳞癌5例;组织病理学检查(作为金标准)诊断为炎症96例、宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅰ 85例、CIN Ⅱ 55例、CIN Ⅲ 32例、官颈鳞癌6例.对此274例患者的官颈涂片,采用伞反应抗体的免疫细胞化学染色进行HPV L1蛋白的榆测,分析其对官颈病变进展的预测价值.结果 274例患者中,组织病理学检杏诊断为炎症的组织中HPV L1蛋白阳性表达率为69.8%(67/96),CIN Ⅰ为83.5%(71/85),CIN Ⅱ为41.8%(23/55),CIN Ⅲ为3.1%(1/32),宫颈鳞癌为0(0/6),除CIN Ⅲ与官颈鳞癌比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)外,其他不同病变问比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);细胞学检查诊断为LSIL的细胞中HPV L1蛋白阳件表达率(75.6%,90/119)最高,其次为ASCUS细胞(63.8%,67/105)和HSIL+宫颈鳞癌细胞(9.8%,4/41),3者问比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).71例未经治疗的ASCUS、LSIL患者中,55例HPV L1蛋白阳性表达者中无一例疾病进展,16例HPV L1蛋白阴性表达者疾病进展的发生率为19%(3/16),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论 HPV L1蛋白在宫颈液基细胞学检查异常涂片中的表达情况可以帮助了解宫颈的病变程度,预测宫颈病变的发展趋势,尤其对细胞学检查诊断为ASCUS和LSIL的患者可协助指导临床处理.     

Usefulness of human papilloma virus testing in the screening of cervical cancer precursor lesions: a retrospective study in 314 cases

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of human papilloma virus (HPV) typing for predicting pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions. STUDY DESIGN: 314 women, who underwent colposcopy, biopsies and high and low-risk HPV typing after a confirmed abnormal routine Pap test were studied. HPV-DNAs were typed by using PCR technique. RESULTS: We found a significant increasing rate of high-risk-HPV by the increasing severity of histology, ranging from 40% in negative cases to 86.9% in those with CIN3 lesions. The positive predictive value of high-risk-HPV ranged from 13.3% in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) to 29.4% in those with HSIL. By contrast, negative predictive value was 96% in patients with ASCUS, 97.2% in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and 71.4% in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Sensitivity and specificity for detecting CIN2 or CIN3 was 86.0% and 41.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high negative predictive value of high-risk HPV testing suggests that HPV negativity could be used for predicting the absence of important cervical lesions, and therefore avoiding unnecessary colposcopy in ASCUS and LSIL cases.     

High-risk human papillomavirus DNA testing and high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing in the improvement of the recognition of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in women with abnormal cervical cytology. METHODS: A total of 2152 women with abnormal cervical cytology were submitted to both HPV DNA testing and biopsy guided by colposcopy and the results were correlated. RESULTS: Positive rate of high-risk HPV DNA in groups of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade (ASC-H), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was 53.7, 53.2, 84.6 and 93.0%, respectively. In each group, the detection rate of grade 2,3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2,3) or cervical cancer in patients with positive HPV DNA was significantly higher than that with negative HPV DNA (P<0.05). In ASC-US group, the negative predictive value of high-risk HPV DNA testing for detection of CIN 2,3 and cervical cancer was 99.8% and the sensitivity 98%. CONCLUSION: HPV DNA testing is a useful indicator in the management of patients with ASC-US and plays an important role in the evaluation of risk for CIN 2,3 and cervical cancer.     

应用TERC基因检测子宫颈病变的临床研究

目的 探讨TERC基因作为宫颈病变筛查指标的临床意义.方法 选取在北京大学人民医院和北京大学深圳医院妇科门诊进行官颈病变筛杳的715例患者为研究对象,对其宫颈脱落细胞行液基细胞学榆查,并行第2代杂交捕获试验(HC-II)检测高危型人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV),必要时行阴道镜活榆及病理检查.荧光原位杂交(FISH)技术检测细胞内TERC基因的异常扩增情况.以病理检查结果为"金标准",将TERC基因异常扩增结果与液基细胞学检查和高危型HPV检测结果进行比较.结果 在宫颈液基细胞学检查结果为正常、未明确诊断意义的不典型鳞状上皮细胞(ASCUS)、不除外高度病变的不典型鳞状上皮细胞(ASC-H)、低度鳞状上皮内病变(LSIL)、高度鳞状上皮内病变(HSIL)和不典型腺细胞(AGC)中,TERC基因异常扩增率分别为5.8%、22.2%、30.8%、27.8%、86.4%和1/1,正常、ASCUS、ASC-H和LSIL者均明显低于HSIL者(P<0.01).在病理检查结果为官颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)I、CIN Ⅱ～Ⅲ和浸润癌中,TERC基冈异常扩增率分别为9.3%、77.8%和96.7%,CIN I明显低于后两者(P<0.01).HPV检测结果为阳性患者的TERC基因扩增阳性率明显高于HPV阴性者(分别为33.5%和5.2%,P<0.01).TERC基因异常扩增诊断CIN Ⅱ及以上病变的敏感度为81.88%,明显高于细胞学检查的36.96%(P<0.01);其特异度(93.32%)明显高于HPV 检测的33.93%(P<0.01);阳性预测值(81.29%)与细胞学检查(86.44%)相似(P>0.05);而阴性预测值(93.56%)低于HPV检测(97.06%,P<0.05).结论 随着宫颈病变程度的加重,TERC基因异常扩增率增加,且其扩增与HPV感染有关.应用FISH技术检测TERC基因异常扩增作为分子遗传学指标,可以辅助细胞学榆查和HPV检测,协助筛出CIN Ⅱ及以上的高度病变和宫颈癌.     

高危型人乳头状瘤病毒DNA检测与细胞学联合检查对子宫颈癌前病变筛查的研究

目的评价高危型人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)DNA检测联合宫颈细胞学检查对宫颈癌前病变筛查的效果。方法2003年1月至2004年6月,对广东省人民医院妇科门诊5210名妇女进行宫颈癌前病变筛查,采用第二代杂交捕获试验(HC-Ⅱ)检测高危型HPV DNA联合细胞学检查,同时进行阴道镜检查,并以宫颈活检的组织病理学结果为确诊标准。结果受检者平均年龄(34±9)岁,筛查并最后经病理诊断为HPV感染890例,宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅰ级83例,CINⅡ73例,CINⅢ80例,宫颈浸润癌54例,子宫内膜癌5例,阴道上皮内瘤样病变1例,宫颈结核1例。以组织病理学为确诊标准,高危型HPV DNA检测CINⅡ、Ⅲ的敏感度是92·22%,特异度是74·71%,阳性预测值5·19%,阴性预测值99·84%。宫颈细胞学筛查CINⅡ、Ⅲ,以未明确诊断意义的不典型鳞状上皮细胞(ASCUS)为分界点的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别是90·00%、80·34%、11·94%和99·63%;以低度鳞状上皮内病变(LSIL)为分界点的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别是70·13%、91·58%、11·11%和99·51%;以高度鳞状上皮内病变(HSIL)为分界点的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别是48·05%、98·46%、31·90%和99·21%。高危型HPV DNA检测联合细胞学检查筛查CINⅡ、Ⅲ的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别是98·70%、73·08%、5·21%和100·00%。高危型HPV DNA在不同宫颈病变中的阳性率分别是:宫颈癌85·2%(46/54),CINⅢ92·5%(74/80),CINⅡ86·3%(63/73)和CINⅠ45·8%(38/83)。结论高危型HPV DNA检测在宫颈癌前病变的筛查中有很高的敏感度和阴性预测值,高危型HPV DNA检测联合细胞学检查可使敏感度和阴性预测值有提高,但特异度未能提高。     

Follow-up by combined cytology and human papillomavirus testing for patients post-cone biopsy: results of a long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical implications of integrating human papillomavirus (HPV) testing into a long-term follow-up and management protocol for women postconization for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2-3). METHODS: Sixty-seven women were followed-up by Pap smears and HPV type and load testing (mean follow-up, 63 months; range, 50-72). Patients with persistent abnormal cytology on two consecutive smears and those with positive HPV test results (whatever their cytologic findings) were referred for colposcopy-directed biopsy. Patients histologically diagnosed with CIN2-3 and those with high-load HPV (whatever their histologic findings) underwent repeat conization or hysterectomy for residual disease. RESULTS: At follow-up, 29 (43.2%) women had positive cytology or positive HPV results and were referred for colposcopy. Eleven (37.9%) had high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or high-load HPV results and were further treated by reconization/hysterectomy. The respective positive predictive values of high-load HPV and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were 100 and 60% for any CIN and 90 and 15% for CIN2-3. Only five of nine cases with a final diagnosis of CIN2-3 were originally identified by cytology: the other four were detected only by parallel evaluation by HPV testing. High-load HPV results with normal cytology or low-grade lesions harbored an 80% risk for CIN2-3. CONCLUSIONS: Adding HPV load assessment to the follow-up protocol of women postconization due to CIN2-3 lesions could help detect high-grade residual disease among low-grade lesions and normal cytology cases while concomitantly and safely bestowing the advantage of lowering the rates of colposcopic referrals and surgical procedures.     

A comparison of the human papillomavirus test and Papanicolaou smear as a second screening method for women with minor cytological abnormalities

BACKGROUND: Of the estimated one million Papanicolaou (pap) smears performed annually in Sweden, about 4% show any degree of abnormality. Approximately, 1% of these cases contain moderate or severe atypia (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions) and the rest contain low-grade atypia. Recommendations for the management of minor abnormalities vary in various parts of Sweden. Generally, a second Pap smear is obtained 4-6 months after the first one showing low-grade atypia. The aim of this study is to compare the sensitivity of human papilloma virus (HPV)-DNA testing for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 with that of a second Pap smear in women, who had low-grade atypia in their first Pap smear. METHODS: Women with low-grade atypia in the Stockholm area, detected at a population-based cytology screening, were enrolled. A repeat Pap smear, HPV test, and colposcopically directed biopsies were obtained. For the detection of HPV, Hybrid Capture II (HC II) was used. RESULTS: The HPV-DNA test was positive in 66% of the 177 participating women. The sensitivity of the second Pap smear and HPV-DNA test to detect CIN 2-3 was 61 (95% CI = 45-74) and 82% (95% CI = 67-91), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of HPV testing were 27 (95% CI = 18-35) and 89% (95% CI = 80-97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Sweden, a second Pap smear is often obtained for the follow-up of women with low-grade atypia. The results of our study show that compared to the second Pap smear, HPV testing with HC II is a more sensitive method for detecting high-grade lesions.     

Human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations: a fluorescence in situ hybridization study

PURPOSE. This study investigated human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations in Guilin, China, and assessed the relationship between FISH findings and clinical diagnoses. METHODS. Slides prepared from 63 liquid-based preparations with cytologic diagnoses of negative for squamous intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM n = 9), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS, n = 18), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL, n = 14), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL, n = 9), and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA, n = 13) were analyzed for TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 using a commercially available two-color FISH probe. The results of the cytologic analysis and those of concurrent or subsequent biopsies, when available, were compared with the FISH findings. The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess associations between FISH findings and diagnoses. RESULTS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 were significantly associated with the cytologic diagnosis (p? 0.001). Patients with HSIL or SCCA cytology diagnoses had a significantly higher percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with NILM, ASCUS or LSIL cytologic diagnoses. Those abnormal cases with CIN1 histological diagnosis had a significantly lower percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with a CIN2, CIN3 and SCCA histological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 may be important associated genetic events in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma. FISH is a potential tool for the diagnoses of uterine cervix disease.     

Does Typing of Human Papillomavirus Assist in the Triage of Women with Repeated Low-Grade, Cervical Cytologic Abnormalities?

Objective.To evaluate the ability of testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) using the hybrid capture technique to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in patients with repeated low-grade cervical cytologic abnormalities and an adequate and normal colposcopy.Methods.Hybrid capture testing and LEETZ were performed on 166 women with repeated low-grade cervical cytologic abnormalities who were referred for colposcopy which was to be adequate and normal.Results.A highly significant correlation (P< 0.0001) was found between a positive test for high-risk HPV types and the finding of CIN II,III. In 67 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on repeated cytologic studies, a positive test for high-risk HPV types had a sensitivity and specificity of 90 and 96.5%, respectively, for detecting CIN II,III. In 99 patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions found on repeated cytologic study, a positive test for high-risk HPV types identified all patients as having CIN II,III on cone biopsy (sensitivity, 100%), with a specificity of 86.4%. Restriction of tissue sampling to women who were positive for high-risk HPV types would have reduced the number of tissue samplings performed to 20.4%, while identifying 20 of 21 patients with biopsy-confirmed CIN II,III.Conclusion.A positive hybrid capture test for high-risk HPV types is highly sensitive and specific for detecting CIN II,III in patients with repeated low-grade cervical cytologic abnormalities and an adequate and normal colposcopy and may be used in the triage of these women before performing tissue sampling.     

Human papillomavirus testing improves the accuracy of colposcopy in detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

To assess the performance of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and colposcopy in detection of cervical pathology. A series of 389 women referred for colposcopy due to an abnormal Pap smear had cervical swabs analyzed for oncogenic (high-risk [HR]) HPV types using Hybrid Capture II (HC2) assay. Loop electrical excision procedure cone biopsy (88%) or colposcopic biopsy (11%) was used as the gold standard. Of the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) smears, 48% were positive for HR HPV, as compared to 76.3% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) smears. HR HPV was detected in 66.7% and 90% of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and CIN2 (or higher), respectively. The sensitivity of the Pap smear using an ASCUS threshold in detecting high-grade CIN was 94.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 91-97%) and that of colposcopy 98.5% (95% CI: 95-99%). The respective specificities were 30% (95% CI: 17-28%) and 35.6% (CI: 29-42%). HC2 test had comparable sensitivity, 90% (95% CI: 85-93%), but higher specificity, 54.3% (95% CI: 47-61%). Combining HC2 test with Pap increased specificity, 66.7% and 41.3% for ASCUS and LSIL cutoff, respectively. The minor-abnormality threshold together with HC2 increased specificity of colposcopy with no changes in sensitivity. High viral load (>100 relative light unit/positive control) was associated with significant disease. HPV DNA testing improves the accuracy of colposcopy in the detection of high-grade CIN in women with ASCUS or LSIL smears.     

Human papillomavirus DNA detection and histological findings in women referred for atypical glandular cells or adenocarcinoma in situ in their Pap smears

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and histological diagnosis in women referred for atypical glandular cells (AGC) or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) at Pap smear. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 146 women referred for AGC (124), AGC with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (15), or AIS (7) were tested for HPV DNA using Hybrid Capture II (HC II). All women underwent colposcopic examination, and cervical biopsy was performed for 95 patients. Fifty-one women referred due to AGC with normal colposcopy and normal second Pap smear were scheduled for control visits every 4 months. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 38%. HPV DNA was detected in 93% of the women with HSIL associated with AGC and in 71% of women with AIS Pap smear, being significantly higher when compared with the prevalence (29%) in women with AGC alone. Forty-five women (30.8%) had clinically significant histological lesions (CIN 2 or worse). High-risk HPV DNA was detected in only 16% of the women without significant abnormalities in biopsy, in contrast to 96% of those who had CIN 2 or CIN 3 and 75% of women with AIS. Eighty-five percent of women with invasive cervical carcinoma (squamous or adenocarcinoma) tested positive for HPV DNA. HPV DNA detection was significantly associated with histological diagnosis of CIN 2 or worse, with an odds ratio (OR) = 51.8 (95% CI 14.3-199.9). CONCLUSION: HPV DNA detection was strongly associated with the severity of cervical lesion (CIN 2 or worse) in women referred for AGC or AIS in their Pap smear. These data implicate the use of HPV testing in triage of women with AGC Pap smears.     

Human papillomavirus infection and cervical disease in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected women

OBJECTIVE: To report on the natural history of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected women living in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 400 untreated, HIV-1-infected women who underwent high-risk HPV DNA testing, cytology, colposcopy, histology, and CD4 count testing every 6 months for 36 months. Human immunodeficiency virus viral loads and HPV type distribution were determined at entry and after 18 months. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the women were high-risk HPV DNA positive at entry, 35% had a cytologic diagnosis of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and 13% had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). There were no cancers. Abnormal cytology and high-risk HPV positivity were strongly correlated with low CD4 counts and high HIV viral loads. The most prevalent types of HPV were HPV-16, -52, -53, -35, and -18. Incident high-risk HPV infection occurred in 22%, and of those infected with high-risk HPV, 94% of infections persisted over an 18-month period, and 6% cleared their infections. Cytologic progression to SIL from normal/atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytology occurred in 17% of cases, but only 4% of cases of LSIL progressed to HSIL. CONCLUSION: There is a high level of high-risk HPV infection in HIV-1 infected women, but progression to HSIL over 36 months occurred in the minority of cases. We recommend an initial colposcopy for an abnormal test, and if no high-grade lesion is identified, triennial screening would be appropriate. Human papillomavirus type 16 was the commonest, and HPV-18 was the fifth commonest, suggesting that vaccination against these two types would have a significant effect. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.     

The Bethesda classification for squamous intraepithelial lesions: histologic, cytologic, and viral correlates.

In applying the Bethesda System of classification to cervical squamous lesions, we evaluated the Papanicolaou smears, cervical biopsies, and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA status of 76 clinic patients. The biopsy specimens and concurrent Papanicolaou smears were analyzed using criteria for low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and the biopsies were analyzed for HPV DNA by in situ hybridization. Two independent observers produced good agreement in both cytologic (kappa = 0.62) and histologic (kappa = 0.71) diagnoses. Predictive values of high-grade cytology (for high-grade histology) were high (0.95 for reviewer 1; 0.97 for reviewer 2), and both high-grade cytology and histology correlated strongly with certain "high-risk" HPV types. In contrast, the predictive value of low-grade cytology for either low-grade histology or HPV types other than "high risk" was poor. This study supports the use of certain histologic criteria for distinguishing squamous intraepithelial lesions into two grades. Limitations in cytologic-histologic correlation appear to reflect the absence of cytologic criteria for distinguishing well-differentiated precursor lesions associated with high-risk HPV types.     

Contribution of human papillomavirus testing by hybrid capture in the triage of women with repeated abnormal pap smears before colposcopy referral

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the ability of testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types using the hybrid capture technique to predict the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II,III in patients with repeated atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL) on Pap smears. METHODS: Hybrid capture testing and tissue biopsy were performed on 503 consecutive women with ASCUS or LGSIL on repeated Pap smears who were referred for colposcopy. RESULTS: A highly significant association (P < 0.0001) was found between a positive test for high-risk HPV types and CIN II,III, with an 87.0% positive predictive value and a 95.7% negative predictive value. In 226 women with ASCUS on repeated Pap smears, a positive test for high-risk HPV types had a 85.7% sensitivity and a 97% specificity for CIN II,III. In 277 patients with LGSIL on repeated Pap smears, a positive test for high-risk HPV types had an 88.2% sensitivity and a 94.7% specificity for CIN I,II. Reserving colposcopy examination for women who were positive for high-risk HPV types would have reduced the number of referrals for colposcopy to 24.6% and maintained a sensitivity of 87.0% for CIN II,III. CONCLUSIONS: A positive hybrid capture test for high-risk HPV types was highly sensitive and specific for the presence of CIN II,III in patients with ASCUS and LGSIL on repeated Pap smears. We believe that improved methodology will eventually enable more selective colposcopy referrals without affecting patient safety among these women.     

高危型人乳头瘤病毒载量与宫颈上皮内瘤变病变程度相关性

目的:探讨高危型人乳头瘤病毒(HR-HPV)载量与宫颈上皮内瘤变(cervi-cal intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)病变程度相关性。方法:对2008年1月~2010年6月于上海市第一人民医院行阴道镜检查的1035例患者,用HCⅡ方法检测其HR-HPV病毒载量,分为阴性组(0.00~1.00)、低度载量组(1.0~10.00)、中度载量组(10.00~100.00)、高度载量组(100.00~1000.00)和极高度载量组(≥1000.00);将病理结果按照宫颈病变程度分为阴性组(慢性黏膜炎和挖空细胞)、低级别病变组(CINⅠ)和高级别病变组(CINⅡ、CINⅢ)。多分类Logistic回归分析HPV病毒载量和CIN病变程度相关性。结果:病理诊断为慢性黏膜炎、挖空细胞、CINⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ的HR-HPV病毒载量的中位数(感染率)分别是2.70(58.22%)、56.00(79.07%)、88.05(79.66%)、323.90(93.27%)和364.07(92.47%),基本呈递增趋势。CIN的各级别病毒载量的分布差异显著(P均<0.05),低级别病变组和高级别病变组的各级别病毒载量组(低度载量组、中度载量组、高度载量组和极高度载量组)对于病理阴性组的危险度(OR值)依次递增:低级别病变组0.677、2.406、2.893和2.943;高级别病变组2.177、4.262、6.354和20.177。结论:CIN的发生与高危型人乳头瘤病毒载量有关,病毒载量越高,CIN发生危险度越高。     

Cervical cytology with a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells,cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H): a follow-up study with corresponding histology and significance of predicting dysplasia by human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical significance of “atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion” ASC-H by comparing the original cytologic findings with follow-up tissue biopsies, and its association with high-risk HPV.

Methods

A total of 235,518 ThinPrep Pap tests were performed at our institution from January 2008 through December 2010, but only 727 (0.3 %) of these cases were diagnosed as ASC-H.

Results

Of the 309 cases diagnosed as ASC-H on cytology for which follow-up histologic material was available, 120 (38.8 %) were definitively diagnosed as high-grade dysplasia (CIN 2/3) and 75 (24.2 %) showed features of low-grade dysplasia (CIN 1). We observed that the incidence of dysplasia in patients less than 30 years of age was 73.4 % (113/154) and 48.3 % (14/29) in patients greater than 49 years of age (p = 0.001). There were 71 cases for which high-risk HPV DNA testing was conducted. HPV DNA was found to be positive in 41 of the dysplastic cases (CIN 1 = 18 cases and CIN 2/3 = 23) and negative in six of the dysplastic cases (CIN1 = 2 and CIN2/3 = 4).

Conclusion

We conclude that cases diagnosed as ASC-H should be followed-up with caution as they are strongly associated with dysplasia of any grade (63.1 %), especially high-grade dysplasia (38.8 %). Reflex HPV DNA testing is an important predictor of dysplasia with a positive predictive value of 87.2 % in our study.