Evaluation of HPV 16 PCR detection in self- compared with clinician-collected samples in women referred for colposcopy

OBJECTIVES: A clinical prospective evaluation study was conducted to evaluate PCR detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 in self-sampled vaginal compared with clinician-collected cervical specimens. METHODS: Paired vaginal and cervical specimens were collected from 137 consecutive women referred for colposcopy because of abnormal cervical cytology. In-house and a commercial PCR method for HPV type 16 were used. Self-sampled vaginal HPV 16 detection was compared to histology and physician-collected cervical specimens. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients, 98 had proven abnormal histology and were included in the analysis. Overall, using the cervix HPV detection as reference method, the self-sampled vaginal sample showed sensitivity 91.8%, specificity 96.1% and agreement kappa (kappa) 0.881. Using the histology as reference, all 11 cervical cancer cases were HPV-16-positive in both cervical and vaginal samples, and in 43 high-grade lesions, detection sensitivity in cervix was 72.1% (kappa 0.588) and vagina 67.4% (kappa 0.516). HPV 16 detection did not differ (P=0.27) between clinician-collected cervical and self-sampled vaginal specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The self-collected vaginal sample is highly concordant with the physician-collected cervical sample in HPV 16 detection.     

Good correlation of HPV DNA test between self-collected vaginal and clinician-collected cervical samples by the oligonucleotide microarray

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of self-collected vaginal samples for high-risk HPV detection by the HPV oligonucleotide microarray method (HPVDNAChip). METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with abnormal Pap smears were included. Self-collected vaginal and clinician-collected cervical samples for HPV testing were obtained. The result of the HPV DNA test was compared with the histopathological diagnosis or colposcopic finding. RESULTS: Of the 118 patients, 42 (35.6%) had >or= cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III lesions. Using the HPVDNAChip, high-risk types of HPV were detected in 38 of these 42 patients (90.5%) with the self-collected vaginal samples and in 37 of 42 (88.1%) with the clinician-collected cervical samples. The agreement of HPVDNAchip results between self- and clinician-collected samples was very good (kappa = 0.81) with a 93.2% concordance rate. Multiple HPV infections were found in 17 of 88 (19.3%) HPV-positive clinician-collected cervical samples. The rate of multiple HPV infection tended to decrease as the degree of pathologic classification increased. CONCLUSION: Using the HPVDNAchip to assay for HPV infection, results from self-collected vaginal samples were compatible with those from clinician-collected cervical samples.     

Acceptability of self-collected human papillomavirus specimens in cervical cancer screening: A review

Cervical cancer morbidity and mortality is an important public health problem around the world. Some of the barriers to cervical cancer screening include the embarrassment, discomfort, lack of privacy and time and cost associated with clinician-collected, clinic-based screening with cytology or human papillomavirus tests. Self-collection of a human papillomavirus (HPV) test has been found to be generally more acceptable, less embarrassing, more comfortable, more private and easy to do and preferred to pelvic examination for cervical cytology by many women worldwide. The most commonly reported limitation to self-collection is a woman’s lack of confidence in her ability to perform it correctly. Self-collected human papillomavirus tests have been shown to be as or more sensitive than cytology or clinician-collected HPV tests. With confidence-building education about self-collection, it is likely a viable method to extend the reach of screening in high and low-resource areas around the world.     

Acceptability of self-collected human papillomavirus specimens as a primary screen for cervical cancer

The aim of this study was to compare the acceptability of self-collected vs clinician-collected human papillomavirus (HPV) tests. Utilising a cross-sectional approach, 250 non-pregnant, 25-60-year-old women from Leon, Nicaragua self-collected vaginal swabs and brushes for HPV and received a pelvic examination for liquid-based cytology and reflex HPV. Subjects underwent colposcopy, with biopsy if indicated, and completed questionnaires comparing their perceptions of HPV testing methods. Acceptability indices were significantly higher for self-collected brushes (M = 18.40, SD = 2.73) and swabs (M = 18.48, SD = 2.41) than clinician-collection (M = 17.56, SD = 2.92), p < 0.001. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age, education, and reproductive history were not significant predictors of acceptability. A total of 81.1% of subjects reported they would self-collect in the future. Self-collected HPV tests are highly acceptable in terms of pain, comfort, privacy and embarrassment, and are thus a viable method of screening in low-resource areas.     

Type-specific human papillomavirus DNA testing with the genotyping array: a comparison of cervical and vaginal sampling

Objective

To compare the detection and typing of human papillomavirus (HPV) between vaginal and cervical specimens by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based reverse-blot genotyping arrays.

Study design

Two hundred and fifty-two women were referred to colposcopy clinics because of suspicious or positive results in a community-based cervical cancer-screening program. Genital tract cells were sampled from the cervix and self-collected from the vagina and tested with the HPV Blot kit.

Results

The HPV Blot kit identified HPV infection in 24.7% of vaginal specimens and in 30.2% of cervical collections. Cervical sampling detected significantly more infections compared to vaginal sampling only for HPV type 52; cervical sampling also detected significantly more high-risk HPV infection overall. The sensitivities of detecting histology ≥cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 using the HPV Blot in vaginal and cervical specimens were 75.0% (95% CI, 47.6-92.7%) and 87.5% (95% CI, 61.6-98.4%), respectively (P = 0.48). Both sampling methods were thus statistically effective at detecting high-grade lesions and cervical cancer (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The HPV Blot yielded similar results for both vaginal sampling and cervical sampling in the detection of CIN grade 3 or worse. These findings indicate that self-sampling for HPV testing is a viable cervical cancer screening option.     

Acceptability of self-collected versus provider-collected sampling for HPV DNA testing among women in rural El Salvador

Objective

To determine the acceptability of self-collected versus provider-collected sampling among women participating in public sector HPV-based cervical cancer screening in El Salvador.

Methods

Two thousand women aged 30–49 years underwent self-collected and provider-collected sampling with careHPV between October 2012 and March 2013 (Qiagen, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). After sample collection, a random sample of women (n = 518) were asked about their experience. Participants were questioned regarding sampling method preference, previous cervical cancer screening, HPV and cervical cancer knowledge, HPV risk factors, and demographic information.

Results

All 518 women approached to participate in this questionnaire study agreed and were enrolled, 27.8% (142 of 511 responding) of whom had not received cervical cancer screening within the past 3 years and were considered under-screened. Overall, 38.8% (n = 201) preferred self-collection and 31.9% (n = 165) preferred provider collection. Self-collection preference was associated with prior tubal ligation, HPV knowledge, future self-sampling preference, and future home-screening preference (P < 0.05). Reasons for self-collection preference included privacy/embarrassment, ease, and less pain; reasons cited for provider-collection preference were result accuracy and provider knowledge/experience.

Conclusion

Self-sampling was found to be acceptable, therefore screening programs could consider offering this option either in the clinic or at home. Self-sampling at home may increase coverage in low-resource countries and reduce the burden that screening places upon clinical infrastructure.     

Accuracy of dry vaginal self-sampling for detecting high-risk human papillomavirus infection in cervical cancer screening: A cross-sectional study

Objective

Cervical cancer screening coverage remains insufficient in most countries. Testing self-collected samples for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) could be an alternative to the Pap smear, but costs, sampling methods and transport issues hamper its wide use. Our objective was to compare diagnostic accuracy of 2 vaginal self-collection methods, a dry swab (vsc-DRY) or swab in liquid medium (vsc-LIQ), for detecting HR-HPV cervical infection assessed by a cervical clinician-collected sample in liquid medium (ccc-LIQ).

Methods

Women 20 to 65 years attending a Pap smear were recruited between September, 2009 and March, 2011. Each sample (3 per woman) underwent HPV DNA testing. Samples were classified as HR-HPV + with detection of at least one HR-HPV or probable HR-HPV type.

Results

Of 734 women included, 722 had complete HPV data. HR-HPV was detected in 20.9% of ccc-LIQ samples. Estimated sensitivity and specificity to detect HR-HPV in vsc-DRY samples were 88.7% and 92.5%, respectively, and in vsc-LIQ samples, 87.4% and 90.9%. Cytology findings were abnormal for 79 women (10.9%): among 27 samples of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 25 were HR-HPV + in vsc-DRY, vsc-LIQ and ccc-LIQ samples. Among 6 samples of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, all were HR-HPV + in vsc-DRY samples, 1 was HR-HPV − in vsc-LIQ samples and 1 was HR-HPV − in ccc-LIQ samples.

Conclusions

Vaginal self-sampling with a dry swab is accurate to detect HR-HPV infection as compared with cervical clinician-collection and accurate as compared with cytology results. This cheap and easy-to-ship sampling method could be widely used in a cervical cancer screening program.     

Preference of specimen collection methods for human papillomavirus detection for cervical cancer screening: a cross-sectional study of high-risk women in Mombasa,Kenya

Objectives

Self-collection of genital specimens for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) detection may increase cervical cancer screening uptake. We hypothesized that women would prefer self-collection to clinician-collection of genital specimens. To test this hypothesis, and women’s preference between two different self-collection approaches, a total of 199 women were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Mombasa, Kenya.

Materials and methods

Participants provided self-collected specimens using the Evalyn cytobrush (Rovers) stored in a dry tube and the Viba cytobrush (Rovers) stored in wet Aptima media (Hologic). A clinician also collected cervical specimens for hrHPV testing and for cytology, and performed visual inspection using acetic acid. A post-examination questionnaire assessed preferences for the different methods of specimen collection. To test the difference in proportions for each collection method, we performed an exact binomial probability test, under the null hypothesis that women would prefer each specimen-collection method equally.

Results

Most women preferred clinician-collection over self-collection (68% versus 32%, p?<?0.01). For self-collection, dry-self collection with the Evalyn brush was preferred over the wet-selection with the Viba brush (53% versus 27%, p?<?0.01). There was no association between preference for self-collection and preference for a particular self-collection cytobrush.

Conclusion

Further research to understand and address obstacles to self-collection of genital specimens may be needed to improve the uptake of self-collection for cervical cancer screening, especially in settings with poor access to trained healthcare providers.

     

Comparison of urine and self-collected vaginal samples for detecting human papillomavirus DNA in pregnant women

Objective

To investigate the utility of urine sampling for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA among pregnant women and to compare HPV DNA detection in urine with detection in vaginal samples.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, urine and vaginal samples were self-collected from pregnant women attending prenatal care at Hospital Divina Providencia, Frederico Westphalen, Brazil, between October 2006 and August 2007. Part of the L1 region of the HPV genome was amplified via GP5⁺/bioGP6⁺ primers. Positive urine was genotyped for high-risk HPV genotypes (HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV39, HPV45, and HPV59).

Results

During the study period, urine samples were obtained from 133 pregnant women, 63 of whom also self-collected vaginal samples. HPV DNA was detected in 54.0% (34/63) and 61.9% (39/63) of urine and vaginal samples, respectively. HPV infection was significantly associated with first intercourse at younger than 20 years of age (P = 0.008). There was substantial agreement in HPV DNA test results between the urine and vaginal samples (κ value, 77.3%; P < 0.0001). HPV31 and HPV16 accounted for 80.7% of the oncogenic types identified.

Conclusion

Detection of HPV DNA in urine showed good agreement with detection in self-collected vaginal samples, indicating that urine might be a reliable sample for HPV testing among pregnant women.     

Self-collected vaginal swabs for the detection of multiple sexually transmitted infections in adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of self-collected vaginal swabs to test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis, and to describe the acceptability of this technique to adolescents. DESIGN: Comparison of a new protocol for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing with the current standard of care, using the same subjects. Survey of attitudes regarding the self-collection technique. SETTING: A juvenile correctional facility in western Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 133 detainees, 12-17 years of age. INTERVENTION: Girls were invited to undergo STI screening using a self-collected vaginal swab. Polymerase chain reaction was used to test this specimen for each of the above three infections. Pelvic exams and endocervical testing were performed at the discretion of the physician performing the intake physical, independent of the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of infections diagnosed using the self-testing protocol, compared to the number diagnosed using standard practices; acceptability of the self-collection technique.RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of sexually active subjects had one or more infections diagnosed by self-testing: 11.3% had C. trachomatis, 8.5% had N. gonorrhoeae, and 11.7% had T. vaginalis. Only 30% of subjects with infections had pelvic exams while detained; therefore 70% of girls with infections would have been missed in the absence of the self-testing option. The self-collection technique was acceptable to 95% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: STI testing using self-collected vaginal specimens is highly acceptable to adolescent girls, and can dramatically increase the detection rate for these three treatable infections when pelvic exams are not performed.     

宫颈HPV感染状况及其与宫颈柱状上皮异位的相关性研究

目的: 研究妇科门诊就诊患者宫颈人乳头瘤病毒（human papilloma virus,HPV）感染状况及其与宫颈柱状上皮异位的相关性,为HPV感染防治提供临床证据。方法: 选取2018年5月—2019年12月在天津中医药大学第二附属医院妇科门诊行宫颈HPV检测的1 130例患者为研究对象,其年龄范围为21~65岁,就诊原因主要包括生殖内分泌疾病、阴道分泌物异常、既往HPV感染、妇科肿瘤、子宫内膜异位症和妇科体检,记录妇科检查时肉眼观察下的宫颈外观,采用荧光聚合酶链反应对宫颈细胞标本进行HPV检测,分析不同年龄、就诊原因和宫颈外观者的HPV感染情况。结果: HPV的总感染率为40%（452/1 130）。前5位最常见的HPV感染型别依次是HPV16,58,52,51和18型。在就诊患者中,60~65岁年龄组HPV感染率最高,达74.07%;因阴道分泌物异常就诊患者HPV感染率最高（54.57%）,其次是因既往HPV感染者（50.77%）。宫颈光滑组及宫颈柱状上皮异位组间HPV总感染率（39.94% vs. 40.08%）、高危型HPV感染率（33.75% vs. 34.09%）、低危型HPV感染率（4.33% vs. 3.93%）、疑似高危型HPV感染率（1.86% vs. 2.07%）、单一型别HPV感染率（28.95% vs. 28.10%）和多重型别HPV感染率（10.99% vs. 11.98%）比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论: HPV感染与宫颈柱状上皮异位无关,在临床工作中应加强对高龄、阴道分泌物异常及既往HPV感染患者HPV筛查,及时发现HPV持续感染,针对性地予以干预,有效预防宫颈癌及癌前病变的发生。     

Interest of Human Papillomavirus DNA quantification and genotyping in paired cervical and urine samples to detect cervical lesions

Background

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Conventional human papillomavirus (HPV) testing requires cervical sampling. However, vaginal and urine self-sampling methods are more acceptable for patients and result in increased participation when they are available in screening programs. In this context, we have developed a non-invasive screening method via the detection of HPV DNA in urine samples.

Purpose

To compare HPV viral loads and genotypes in paired cervical and urine samples, and to assess correlation between virological and cytological results in women seeking gynecological consultation.

Methods

Paired urine and cervical specimens were collected and analyzed from 230 of 245 women participating in the previously described prospective PapU study. HPV DNA detection and quantification were performed using a real-time PCR method with short fragment PCR primers. Genotyping was carried out using the INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping assay.

Results

The prevalence of HPV in the 230 paired urine and cervical smear samples was 42 and 49 %, respectively. Overall agreement for HPV positivity and negativity between the paired samples was 90 % (κ = 0.80). High HPV viral load in both cervical and urine samples was associated with cytological abnormalities. HPV-positive women were mostly infected with HR-HPV types. The agreement between high- and low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) detection in both samples was 97 % (κ = 0.95 for HR-HPV and κ = 0.97 for LR-HPV).

Conclusions

High concordance rates for HPV-DNA quantification and high/low-risk HPV genotyping in paired urine/cervical samples suggest that urinary HPV DNA testing could be useful for cervical lesion screening.     

宫颈脱落细胞中HPV L1壳蛋白的表达及临床意义

目的探讨HPV L1壳蛋白在宫颈脱落细胞中的表达及临床意义。方法对2010年1月至2011年10月在南京医科大学第一附属医院就诊的患者的宫颈脱落细胞标本409例用免疫细胞化学法检测HPV L1壳蛋白的表达。结果 HPV L1壳蛋白在NILM、ASCUS、ASC-H、LSIL、HSIL和AGC中的阳性表达率分别为20.54%、49.24%、18.18%、43.90%、18.18%、0%,ASCUS/LSIL组和ASC-H/HSIL组之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);HPVL1壳蛋白在慢性宫颈炎、CIN1、CIN2、CIN3、SCC和宫颈腺癌中的阳性表达率分别为36.11%、42.19%、30.23%、26.09%、0%、0%,CIN1组、CIN2/3组、SCC组之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);HPVL1壳蛋白在HR-HPV DNA负荷量0～9.9、10～99.9、100～999.9、1000～pg/ml中的阳性表达率分别为6.67%、17.24%、36.72%、51.77%,除0～9.9与10～99.9pg/ml组比较,其余各组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);HPV L1壳蛋白阴性表达对高级别CIN(≥CIN2)预测的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为75.62%、37.98%、54.09%、61.72%。结论 HPV L1壳蛋白在宫颈脱落细胞中的表达率随宫颈病变程度的加重呈下降趋势,随病毒负荷量的增加呈升高趋势。     

Human papillomavirus types in cervical biopsy specimens from Pap-smear-negative women with external genital warts.

Cervical biopsy specimens were taken from 55 Pap-smear-negative women with external genital warts in order to diagnose a concomitant cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV-DNA was demonstrated by in situ hybridization in 17 (31%) of the samples: HPV types 16/18 in 9, HPV types 6/11 in 5 and double infection (16/18 and 6/11) in 3. HPV-DNA was found in 10 (43%) of 23 biopsy specimens with koilocytotic atypia and in 5 (29%) of 17 specimens showing chronic inflammatory reaction, whereas only 2 (13%) of 15 women with normal cervical histology had HPV-DNA in the biopsy specimen. Overall histology and in situ hybridization indicated the presence of a cervical HPV infection in at least 30 (55%) of the 55 women examined. Colposcopic examination revealed abnormal acetowhite epithelium in 17 (74%) of 23 women with koilocytosis and/or HPV-DNA positivity, compared with 7 (32%) of 22 HPV-DNA-negative women with histology showing either chronic inflammatory changes or normal epithelium (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that a cervical focus of HPV infection is frequent among Pap-smear-negative women with external genital warts.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection in self-collected urine

OBJECTIVE: Non-invasive sampling of human genitals to identify high-risk individuals with subclinical oncogenic HPV infection remains a challenge. The study was designed to see if self-collected urine can be used as a simple, non-invasive sampling for screening HPV, particularly for screening/monitoring general population or young adolescents or infants, if they are to be immunized by HPV vaccines. METHOD: Self-collected urine samples from 100 sexually unexposed college going girls and cervical scrapes from 104 normal healthy sexually active married women were used in this study. Additionally, a group of 55 women were recruited for collecting first urine and later scraped cervical cells to validate urine sampling by directly comparing HPV positivity between the two types of biological specimens. A dry 'paper smear' method for specimen collection and a simple single tube protocol was employed for PCR detection of HPV infection. RESULTS: Out of 100 sexually inexperienced college going girls, only 6 (6%) were positive for HPV infection as revealed by L1 consensus primer and 4 (4%) of them were positive for HPV 16 but none was found positive for HPV 18 DNA. Out of 104 sexually active married women who were cytologically reported as negative by Pap test, 11 (10.5%) were found HPV positive and 7 (6.7%) of them had infection of high-risk HPV type 16. Both urine and later cervical scrapes from a group of 55 women collected as dry 'paper smear' showed perfect matching positivity for HPV between urine and cervical scrape. CONCLUSIONS: The use of urine coupled with its dry collection as 'paper smear' facilitating their easy transport, storage and direct PCR detection of HPV DNA opens up an alternative non-invasive approach for population screening of HPV infection, at least in such cases as children and infants in whom invasive samples are difficult to obtain.     

宫颈脱落细胞hTERC基因扩增的初步研究

目的探讨人类染色体端粒酶RNA（hTERC）基因扩增在宫颈癌发生发展中的作用及其对CIN2及以上病变筛查的临床意义。方法应用荧光原位杂交（FISH）法检测17例宫颈癌、39例CIN3、7例CIN2、14例CIN1及33例慢性宫颈炎患者宫颈脱落细胞hTERC基因扩增情况,同时对检测hTERC基因异常扩增与宫颈液基薄层细胞学检查（TCT）和高危型HPV-DNA检测诊断CIN2及以上病变的特异性和敏感性进行比较。结果 hTERC基因在慢性宫颈炎、CIN1、CIN2、CIN3及宫颈癌中的异常扩增率分别为18.19%、14.29%、35.29%、71.79%和94.12%,差异有统计学意义（χ2=41.415,P=0.000）。其中,慢性宫颈炎组和CIN1组hTERC基因扩增率比较,差异无统计学意义（P=1.000）,但均显著低于CIN2、CIN3组和宫颈癌组（P=0.001）。而且,检测宫颈脱落细胞hTERC基因扩增诊断CIN2及以上病变的敏感性为68.49%（50/73）,特异性为86.21%（50/58）,而TCT诊断CIN2及以上病变的敏感性为63.01%（46/73）,特异性为74.19%（46/62）;高危型HPV-DNA检测诊断CIN2及以上病变的敏感性为90.41%（66/73）,特异性为62.26%（66/106）。结论 hTERC基因扩增在宫颈癌的发生发展中起重要作用。FISH检测宫颈脱落细胞中hTERC基因扩增在一定程度上可反映CIN2及以上病变存在,可弥补TCT和HPV检测的不足。     

Acceptability and Preferences of Dry HR HPV Self-Sampling Mailed Kits Among Canadian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease, is identified as the source of 99.7% of cervical cancers. Screening for cervical cancer using oncogenic HPV (high-risk [HR] HPV) detection is more sensitive than traditional cytology. However, few Canadian data exist on HR HPV self-sampling.ObjectiveTo evaluate the acceptability of HR HPV self-sampling by patients, the percentage of correctly collected samples, the return rate of mailed kits, and the HPV positivity rate in a population sample based on different cervical cancer risk factors.MethodsWe conducted an observational cross-sectional study on HPV primary cervical cancer screening with self-collected cervicovaginal samples through mail service.ResultsA total of 400 kits were mailed and 310 kits were returned, making a return rate of 77.5%. Of these, 84.2% of patients were very satisfied with this method and 95.8% (297/310) of patients would choose self-sampling over cytology as their primary screening method. All patients would recommend this screening method to their friends or family members. Of the samples, 93.8% could be analyzed correctly and the HPV positivity rate was 11.7%.ConclusionIn this large and random sample, there was a strong interest in self-testing. Offering HR HPV self-sampling could increase access to cervical cancer screening. The self-screening method could also be a part of the solution to reaching under-screened populations, in particular, those who do not have a family doctor or avoid gynaecologic exams because of pain or anxiety.     

Cervical biopsy specimens and human papilloma virus positivity in patients with external genital warts

Cervical biopsy specimens were taken from 16 women with external genital warts in order to diagnose concomitant cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) according to pathology. Positive HPV infection was detected 56% (9/16) of the patients. Among those patients 66% (6/9) had concurrent subclinical low-grade CIN lesions. One of those patients had a high-grade CIN lesion. It is concluded that cervical HPV infection was rather common in women with external genital warts and it is valuable to examine cervical HPV infection by biopsy to detect concomitant CIN.     

Self-collected vaginal swabs to diagnosis bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of a screening for bacterial vaginosis by a self-collected vaginal swab during pregnancy. To measure bacterial vaginosis prevalence in a non-representative sample of women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A self-collected swab was suggested to 398 women who consulted between 15 and 33 weeks of gestation in three different centres. Gram stain evaluation using Nugent criteria was used for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-one women agreed to take part in the study (86%). The quality of the swabs was satisfactory in 93% of the cases. Concerning the 15 non-interpretable slides, the cellular and bacterial density was too poor, owing to a poor quality or a low vaginal flora. Thirty-one women (9%) had a bacterial vaginosis--Nugent score included between 7 and 10--and this frequency did not vary according to the centre. Thirty-five women (10%) had an intermediate flora--score between 4 and 6--and this result varied from 2 to 12% depending on the centre, but the difference was not significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Self-collected swabs to detect bacterial vaginosis are well accepted by most of pregnant women, and the quality of the swabs seems to be satisfactory. In case vaginal flora is intermediate--between 4 and 6--the interpretation of the slides could be difficult.     

Comparison of smear specimens with biopsy specimens in a nucleic acid hybridization test for human papilloma virus (HPV) infection

A total of 323 pairs of specimens from women with Papanicolaou class II or III cytology were examined for human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 by spot hybridization. Each pair consisted of a representative biopsy specimen and a smear specimen from cervical, vaginal or, more rarely, vulvar lesions. We found a close correlation between HPV findings in biopsies and smears. In 83.9% (271) of the cases, both specimens were either positive for a given HPV type or negative. No discordant HPV-types in the two types of specimens were found. In 15.8% (51) of the cases, one specimen proved positive for a given HPV-type while the other specimen from the same patient was negative. In 8.0% (26) of the cases, the biopsy specimen proved positive and the corresponding smear specimen was negative. On the other hand, in 7.7% (25) of the cases we were able to detect HPV DNA in the smear specimen, whereas the corresponding biopsy specimen was negative. We suggest that a smear specimen would be advantageous for screening large groups of patients for the presence of a HPV infection in the genital tract. By using smear specimens together with biopsy specimens it is possible to maximize the number of HPV infection diagnoses.