Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in liquid-based cytologic specimens: results of reflex human papillomavirus testing and histologic follow-up in routine practice with comparison of interpretive and probabilistic reporting methods

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for high-risk types after Papanicolaou (Pap) smear interpretations of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) is a sensitive method for identifying women who harbor underlying high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). To the authors' knowledge, the application of HPV testing to ASCUS smears in routine practice with comparison of probabilistic and interpretive models of cytologic reporting has not been reported. METHODS: HPV DNA testing was performed reflexively on 216 liquid-based Pap smears that initially were interpreted as ASCUS. According to the interpretive model, ASCUS interpretations were modified and reported as either low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) or squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) when HPV positive and as reactive when HPV negative. Using the probabilistic model, ASCUS interpretations were maintained and simply reported with the HPV test result. Histologic follow-up data were obtained. RESULTS: Of the 216 women with ASCUS cytology, 142 (65.7%) were positive for high-risk HPV types. Of the 142 HPV-positive ASCUS smears, 101 (71.1%) were modified to an interpretation of LSIL (96 cases) or SIL (5 cases). Histologic follow-up of 55 of the 101 HPV-positive smears in the interpretive group and 26 of the 41 HPV-positive smears in the probabilistic group yielded similar percentages of lesions (18 lesions [32.7%] and 9 lesions [34.6%], respectively). However, there was a preponderance of low-grade lesions in the interpretive group (89%) but a nearly equal distribution of low-grade and high-grade lesions in the probabilistic group (56% and 44%, respectively); overall, 22% of the lesions were high-grade. Of the 74 HPV-negative ASCUS smears, 71 (96%) were modified to reactive and all 5 with histologic follow-up were judged as negative. CONCLUSIONS: Colposcopy with tissue studies was virtually restricted to HPV-positive cases, regardless of the reporting model used, suggesting that clinicians are basing colposcopy triage on the HPV test result rather than the definitiveness of the cytologic interpretation. This observation, the similar yield of lesions in both groups, and the significant risk of high-grade lesions argue against application of the interpretive model to HPV-tested ASCUS cases.     

Different risk factor patterns for high-grade and low-grade intraepithelial lesions on the cervix among HPV-positive and HPV-negative young women

Risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia have most often been studied in high-grade lesions. Furthermore, in a high proportion of the studies, human papillomavirus (HPV), the most significant risk determinant of cervical neoplasia, was not taken into account when evaluating other risk factors. To compare risk factors for ASCUS (atypical cells of undetermined significance), LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), we conducted a case-control study among 20 to 29 year-old women participating in a prospective cohort study in Copenhagen. It included 131 women with ASCUS, 120 women with LSIL, 79 women with HSIL and 1,000 randomly chosen, cytologically normal, control women. All participants had a personal interview and a gynecological examination including a Pap smear and cervical swabs for HPV DNA detection using general primer-mediated polymerase chain reaction. The most significant risk determinant of all 3 disease categories was the presence of genital HPV DNA. The risk factor pattern was nearly identical for ASCUS and LSIL, but differed significantly from that for HSIL. Stratified analysis by HPV-status showed that, apart from, respectively, smoking and parity among HPV-positive women, and smoking and number of sex partners among HPV-negative women, no additional risk factors were observed for ASCUS and LSIL. In contrast, among HPV-negative women with HSIL, long-term use of oral contraceptives was the most important risk factor. However, our result should be taken with great caution as it is based on very small numbers, and as it is unknown whether the HPV-negative lesions constitute a true entity. Among HPV-positive women, the risk of HSIL was associated with e.g., years of sex life without barrier contraceptive use, early age at first genital warts and smoking. Whether the risk factors that are applicable only to HSIL represent factors related to progression remains unknown. Int. J. Cancer 76:613–619, 1998.© 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

P16/Ki-67 Dual Staining in Positive Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing for Predictive Diagnosis of Abnormal Cervical Lesions in Northeastern Thai Women

Objective: Cervical cancer screening can effectively reduce new cervical cancer cases, including in Thailand. The abnormal results are subsequently referred for colposcopy. To avoid unnecessary colposcopy, an efficient triage is still needed for validation. This study aimed to investigate the overall positivity of cytology-based screening, HPV detection, and p16/Ki-67 dual staining and evaluate different triage strategies for predictive diagnosis of abnormal cervical lesions in northeastern Thailand. Methods: Cervical cells were collected from 191 women who came for cervical screening in the gynecological outpatient department during March 2019-February 2020. Pap smear samples were classified into 6 groups including 17 atypical glandular cells (AGC), 21 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 7 atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), 26 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 19 high-grade SILs (HSILs) and 101 no squamous intraepithelial lesion (noSIL). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for HPV DNA detection. HPV genotyping was determined by reverse line blot hybridization. P16/Ki-67 dual staining was performed by using CINtec PLUS Cytology kit. Biopsies from abnormal screening were collected for surgical pathology classification. Results: High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection was 2.97%, 29.41%, 38.10%, 57.14%, 46.15% and 84.21% in noSIL, AGC, ASC-US, ASC-H, LSIL and HSIL cytology respectively. P16/ Ki-67 in noSIL, AGC, ASC-US, ASC-H, LSIL and HSIL was 0.99%, 5.88%, 9.52%, 42.86%, 26.92% and 63.16%, respectively (P-value < 0.001). Among p16/Ki-67 positive cases, 96.15% (25/26) were infected with HPV and 84.62% (22/26) were HR-HPV. The overall positivity of each and co-testing between cytology or HPV DNA testing or p16/Ki-67 dual staining was evaluated. In each cervical lesion, primary HPV DNA testing showed the highest sensitivity, but low specificity. The combined all HPV/HR-HPV with p16/Ki-67 detection increased the specificity of abnormal cervical lesions. Conclusion: P16/Ki-67 dual stain cytology in HPV-positive women performs well for diagnosis of abnormal cervical lesions and should be considered for management of HPV-positive women to avoid unnecessary colposcopy referrals.     

Human papillomavirus types in 115,789 HPV-positive women: A meta-analysis from cervical infection to cancer

Genotyping may improve risk stratification of high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women in cervical screening programs; however, prospective data comparing the natural history and carcinogenic potential of individual HR types remain limited. A meta-analysis of cross-sectional HR HPV-type distribution in 115,789 HPV-positive women was performed, including 33,154 normal cytology, 6,810 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 13,480 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 6,616 high-grade SIL (HSIL) diagnosed cytologically, 8,106 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), 4,068 CIN2 and 10,753 CIN3 diagnosed histologically and 36,374 invasive cervical cancers (ICCs) from 423 PCR-based studies worldwide. No strong differences in HPV-type distribution were apparent between normal cytology, ASCUS, LSIL or CIN1. However, HPV16 positivity increased steeply from normal/ASCUS/LSIL/CIN1 (20-28%), through CIN2/HSIL (40/47%) to CIN3/ICC (58/63%). HPV16, 18 and 45 accounted for a greater or equal proportion of HPV infections in ICC compared to normal cytology (ICC:normal ratios = 3.07, 1.87 and 1.10, respectively) and to CIN3 (ICC:CIN3 ratios = 1.08, 2.11 and 1.47, respectively). Other HR types accounted for important proportions of HPV-positive CIN2 and CIN3, but their contribution dropped in ICC, with ICC:normal ratios ranging from 0.94 for HPV33 down to 0.16 for HPV51. ICC:normal ratios were particularly high for HPV45 in Africa (1.85) and South/Central America (1.79) and for HPV58 in Eastern Asia (1.36). ASCUS and LSIL appear proxies of HPV infection rather than cancer precursors, and even CIN3 is not entirely representative of the types causing ICC. HPV16 in particular, but also HPV18 and 45, warrant special attention in HPV-based screening programs.     

人乳头状瘤病毒感染与宫颈病变的相关性分析？

目的：分析宫颈上皮内瘤变（ CIN）及宫颈癌（ CC）中人乳头状瘤病毒（ HPV）亚型,探讨HPV感染与宫颈病变的相关性。方法：慢性宫颈炎或液基细胞学异常的妇女检测21种HPV基因亚型和阴道镜下宫颈定位活检,分析2481例CC和CIN患者的HPV感染情况。结果：在2481例CIN和CC患者中,HPV感染率85．0%,HPV感染与宫颈组织学结果有较强的相关性（P〈0．001,Pearson列联系数=0．648）。 CC及CINⅢ、CINⅡ患者以HPV16、18感染最多见,其次见HPV58、33、31、52、45、59、68等亚型。304例患者宫颈感染HPV16、18、58、52、33等亚型后,发生高度鳞状上皮内病变（HSIL）、不明意义的非典型鳞状细胞（ASCUS）及低度鳞状上皮内病变（LSIL）的频率增加,TCT分型与HPV分型有较弱的相关关系（P=0．002,Pearson列联系数=0．322）。细胞学结果提示HSIL、AS-CUS,宫颈组织学诊断以CC、CINIII和CINII为多,TCT分型与组织学分型也有较弱的相关性（ P=0．026,Pearson列联系数=0．172）。结论：HPV16、18、58、33、52、31、45等高危型HPV感染是宫颈癌（ CC）及癌前病变（ CIN）最常见的风险因素。高危型HPV单独或混合感染宫颈后,细胞学检测HSIL、ASCUS及LSIL的发生率增加,细胞学结果与组织学分型的相关性促进了CC和CIN的及时诊治。     

Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion: diagnostic performance, human papillomavirus testing, and follow-up results

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend colposcopy rather than high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for the evaluation of abnormal cervical cytology interpreted as "atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion" (ASC-H) based on data from the Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance/Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (ASCUS/LSIL) Triage Study (ALTS), which indicated that ASC-H had a significantly greater frequency of high-risk HPV positivity and underlying high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) compared with ASCUS. The cytologic interpretations in the ALTS were expert consensus diagnoses rather than routine, single-pathologist readings. METHODS: The authors conducted a comparative analysis of Hybrid Capture 2 high-risk HPV positivity and frequency of histologically diagnosed HSIL for ASC-H and ASCUS to evaluate the performance of ASC-H as a cytologic interpretation subcategory and the potential utility of HPV testing for colposcopy triage of ASC-H in routine practice. RESULTS: Sixty-four of 96 patients with ASC-H (66.7%) were HPV-positive compared with 484 of 1079 patients with ASCUS (44.9%). Among the patients who had histologic follow-up, HSIL was identified in 18 of 45 patients (40.0%) with HPV-positive ASC-H compared with 27 of 266 patients (10.2%) with HPV-positive ASCUS (P < 0.0001) and 1 of 22 patients (4.5%) with HPV-negative ASC-H (P = 0.003); the latter result was similar to the finding of HSIL in 5 of 85 patients (5.9%) with HPV-negative ASCUS. The frequency of HPV-positive ASC-H in the current study (67%) was lower than that obtained in the ALTS for ASC-H (86%) but higher than that for ASCUS in both this study (45%) and in the ALTS (51% for all ASC; 63% for ASCUS, equivocal for LSIL). Underlying HSIL was detected in a similar percentage of patients with HPV-positive ASC-H in this study and in the ALTS (41%). CONCLUSIONS: The greater frequency of HPV positivity and the significantly increased risk of underlying HSIL for ASC-H compared with ASCUS indicated that ASC-H category utilization and performance are appropriate in this routine clinical practice setting. The lower frequency of HPV positivity for ASC-H compared with the ALTS data and the similar low risk of HSIL in HPV-negative ASC-H and HPV-negative ASCUS indicate that HPV testing for triage of ASC-H in routine practice has the potential to reduce the number of women who are referred for colposcopy without an increased risk of failure to detect HSIL among HPV-negative women, similar to its triage role for ASCUS.     

Combined p16INK4a and human papillomavirus testing improves the prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II-III) in Thai patients with low-grade cytological abnormalities

Thailand is in the process of developing a national cervical screening program. This study examined p16INK4a staining and HPV prevalence in abnormal cervical samples with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), to evaluate the efficacy of combined HPV and p16INK4a detection to predict CIN II-III. Totals of 125 ASCUS and 87 LSIL cases were re-evaluated by Pap test and cervical cells of ASCUS and LSIL cases were prepared on slides for p16INK4a detection by immunocytochemistry. HPV genotyping of DNA extracts was performed by GP5+/6+ PCR and reverse line blot hybridization. Histopathologic tests were performed to identify cervical lesion. Total of 212 cases were diagnosed to normal (20), ASCUS (112), LSIL (78) and HSIL (2). HPV was detected in ASCUS (49/112, 43.8%), LSIL (60/78, 76.9%) and HSIL (2/2, 100%) cases. The majority of HPV positive samples typed for high-risk HPV. 55.7% (107/192) of abnormal cases (ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL) were positive p16INK4a. For the 111 HPV DNA positive cases, 34 of 49 (69.4%) ASCUS cases and 49 of 60 (81.7%) LSIL cases were p16INK4a positive. 140 biopsies were taken and histological classified: CIN negative (65 cases), CIN I (56 cases) and CIN II-III (19 cases). HPV DNA detection predicted CIN II-III with sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 49%, whereas p16INK4a staining showed higher sensitivity (89.5%) and specificity (56.2%). The prediction of CIN II-III was significantly better by combination of positive HPV DNA and p16INK4a with 93.8% sensitivity and 59.2% specificity. Detection of HPV DNA combined with p16INK4a in cervical cells can predict CIN II-III and may improve the screening diagnosis of Thai women at risk for CIN II-III or cancer.     

九价HPV疫苗所针对的高危型HPV亚型在宫颈癌及其癌前病变中应用有效性的初步预测

背景与目的：宫颈癌是世界范围内女性第4常见的恶性肿瘤,在我国其发病率和死亡率都呈上升趋势,高危型人乳头状瘤病毒(high-risk human papillomavirus,hrHPV)持续感染与浸润宫颈癌(invasive cervical carcinoma,ICC)及其癌前病变的发生、发展关系密切,HPV预防性疫苗的研制应用成为宫颈癌一级预防的有效措施。该研究拟通过分析九价HPV疫苗所针对的7种HPV高危亚型(HPV16、18、31、33、45、52和58)在经组织学证实的宫颈癌及癌前病变中的分布,为九价疫苗在本地区人群的应用前景评估提供更多依据。方法：回顾性收集复旦大学附属肿瘤医院病理科行聚合酶链反应-反向点杂交法(polymerase chain reaction-reverse dot blot,PCR-RDB)进行HPV基因分型检测的患者,经计算HPV阳性患者中特定HPV亚型的阳性比例来评价HPV亚型对宫颈癌及其癌前病变的相对贡献。采用比例权重归因(proportional weighting attribution,PWA)方法将多重感染中亚型占比折算至相应的单型别感染。结果：符合入组条件者共计624例,分别为117例未见上皮内病变及恶性病变(negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy,NILM),45例低级别鳞状上皮内病变(low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion,LSIL),268例高级别鳞状上皮内病变(high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion,HSIL)和194例ICC。HPV总感染率为84.29%(526/624),在LSIL、HSIL及ICC组中的感染率分别为71.11%,95.90%及91.75%。HPV16/18 PWA合计占比在LSIL、HSIL和ICC组中依次上升,分别为50.00%、70.44%和91.71%。九价疫苗针对的7种hrHPV的PWA合计占比均较HPV16/18提高,在LSIL、HSIL和ICC中分别为86.34%,98.61%和94.89%。额外增加的5种hrHPV(HPV31、33、45、52和58)的相对贡献在LSIL、HSIL和ICC组中依次下降,分别为36.34%、28.17%和3.18%。结论：九价疫苗额外增加的5种hrHPV型别在本地区有望令更高比例的ICC及癌前病变得到预防,尤其对于LSIL和HSIL的预防有较大改善。     

汕头市妇女HPV-52感染与宫颈鳞状上皮病变的关系

目的： 探讨汕头市妇女感染人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）的主要亚型,及其在宫颈鳞状上皮病变中的致病特点及风险分析。方法： 收集2015~2018年在汕头市中心医院同时进行HPV分型检测和薄层液基细胞学（LCT）检查的病例37 700例,及其中3 924例进行宫颈活检的病例。HPV分型检测采用医用核酸分子快速杂交基因分型试剂盒,包含15种高危HPV,即HPV-16、-18、-31、-33、-35、-39、-45、-5l、-52、-53、-56、-58、-59、-66和-68;6种低危型HPV,即HPV-6、-11、-42、-43、-44、CP8304。细胞学检查按照伯塞斯达系统（TBS）分级（2014版）标准进行分类,分为未见上皮内病变或恶性病变（NILM）、非典型鳞状细胞-意义不明确（ASC-US）、低级别鳞状上皮内病变（LSIL）、非典型鳞状细胞-不排除高级别鳞状上皮内病变（ASC-H）、高级别鳞状上皮内病变（HSIL）和鳞状细胞癌（SCC）。使用SPSS 19.0软件建立数据库,计数资料率的比较采用频数分布进行统计,风险评估采用卡方检验2×2列表。结果： 37 700位LCT检查病例中HPV-52总感染率为3.55%（1 338/37 700）,HPV-52单一感染882例,HPV-52多重感染（指两种及以上HPV亚型感染）456例,其中包含两重感染313例,三重及以上感染143例,HPV-52多重感染最常见的3种亚型分别是HPV-58/52（12.46%,39/313）、HPV-53/52（11.18%,35/313）、HPV-16/52（11.18%,35/313）。HPV-52多重感染患者LCT筛查结果出现ASC-US及以上病变尤其是HSIL中,最多见型别为HPV-16/52。宫颈活检结果风险分析显示,与HPV-52单一感染比较,HPV-52/16多重感染患HSIL/SCC风险增加（P < 0.01,OR=8.27）,并且增加HSIL发展到SCC的发病风险（P=0.01,OR=12.65）。与包含HPV-52但不包含HPV-16的多重感染比较,HPV-52/16多重感染增加患HSIL或者SCC风险（P < 0.01,OR=3.36）,并且增加HSIL发展为SCC的风险（P=0.03,OR=1.29）。结论： HPV-52是汕头市妇女最常见的HPV感染宫颈亚型,但患者主要发生HSIL病变,当合并HPV-16感染时增加癌前病变及癌变风险。     

汕头市妇女HPV-52感染与宫颈鳞状上皮病变的关系

目的： 探讨汕头市妇女感染人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）的主要亚型，及其在宫颈鳞状上皮病变中的致病特点及风险分析。方法： 收集2015~2018年在汕头市中心医院同时进行HPV分型检测和薄层液基细胞学（LCT）检查的病例37 700例，及其中3 924例进行宫颈活检的病例。HPV分型检测采用医用核酸分子快速杂交基因分型试剂盒，包含15种高危HPV，即HPV-16、-18、-31、-33、-35、-39、-45、-5l、-52、-53、-56、-58、-59、-66和-68；6种低危型HPV，即HPV-6、-11、-42、-43、-44、CP8304。细胞学检查按照伯塞斯达系统（TBS）分级（2014版）标准进行分类，分为未见上皮内病变或恶性病变（NILM）、非典型鳞状细胞-意义不明确（ASC-US）、低级别鳞状上皮内病变（LSIL）、非典型鳞状细胞-不排除高级别鳞状上皮内病变（ASC-H）、高级别鳞状上皮内病变（HSIL）和鳞状细胞癌（SCC）。使用SPSS 19.0软件建立数据库，计数资料率的比较采用频数分布进行统计，风险评估采用卡方检验2×2列表。结果： 37 700位LCT检查病例中HPV-52总感染率为3.55%（1 338/37 700），HPV-52单一感染882例，HPV-52多重感染（指两种及以上HPV亚型感染）456例，其中包含两重感染313例，三重及以上感染143例，HPV-52多重感染最常见的3种亚型分别是HPV-58/52（12.46%，39/313）、HPV-53/52（11.18%，35/313）、HPV-16/52（11.18%，35/313）。HPV-52多重感染患者LCT筛查结果出现ASC-US及以上病变尤其是HSIL中，最多见型别为HPV-16/52。宫颈活检结果风险分析显示，与HPV-52单一感染比较，HPV-52/16多重感染患HSIL/SCC风险增加（P < 0.01，OR=8.27），并且增加HSIL发展到SCC的发病风险（P=0.01，OR=12.65）。与包含HPV-52但不包含HPV-16的多重感染比较，HPV-52/16多重感染增加患HSIL或者SCC风险（P < 0.01，OR=3.36），并且增加HSIL发展为SCC的风险（P=0.03，OR=1.29）。结论： HPV-52是汕头市妇女最常见的HPV感染宫颈亚型，但患者主要发生HSIL病变，当合并HPV-16感染时增加癌前病变及癌变风险。     

Can Self Vaginal Douching for High Risk HPV Screening Replace or Assist Efficacy of Cervical Cancer Screening?

Objective: To study the accuracy of self vaginal douching and collection for HPV types 16, 18, 31 and 33 inwomen visiting Thammasat Hospital for the explicit purpose of cervical screening. Methods: A pelvic examinationand Pap smear were performed for all women who came for cervical screening. Specimens were also collected byself vaginal douching before cervical screening and sent to the cell and molecular biology laboratory for analysisof human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31 and 33 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:HPV prevalence was 3.6% overall from 250 women in this study. Twenty-four (9.6%) women had an abnormalcytology screening result. No cancer was found. Four women had a high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL) and 14 had a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) from colposcopic biopsy. Self vaginaldouching for HPV 16, 18, 31 and 33 was used to predict abnormal Pap smear. Sensitivity, specificity, positivepredictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 12.5%, 97.5%, 33.3% and 91.3%, respectively.Conclusion: From our analysis of self vaginal douching for HPV detection using cases from Thammasat universityhospital, it cannot replace the Pap smear.     

Prevalence of High Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection ith Different Cervical Cytological Features among Women ndergoing Health Examination at the National Cancer nstitute,Thailand

High-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is important in cervical cancer screening for triagecolposcopy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of HR HPV infection with different cervicalcytological features among women undergoing health examination. A total of 2,897 women were retrospectivelyevaluated between May 2011 to December 2011. DNA was extracted from residual specimens collected duringroutine liquid-based cytology tests at the National Cancer Institute. Overall, HR HPV prevalence was 9.3%including 1.6% of HPV-16 and 0.4% of HPV-18. Of all 270 HPV positive samples, 211 (78.1% were HR-HPVnon 16/18; 47 (17.4%) were HPV-16 and 12 (4.4%) were HPV-18. The prevalence of HPV infection was similarin all age groups, although a higher rate was observed in women age 31-40 years. Among women with normalcytology, HR HPV positive were found in 6.7%. In abnormal cytology, HR HPV were found 46.7% in atypicalsquamous cells (ASC), 54.8% in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 80.0% in high-gradesquamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). HPV-16 was detected in 8.6%, 6.4% and 12.0% of ASC, LSIL andHSIL, respectively. The results of this study provide baseline information on the HPV type distribution, whichmay be useful for clinicians to decide who should be monitored or treated more aggressively.     

Reducing or eliminating use of the category of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance decreases the diagnostic accuracy of the Papanicolaou smear

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of "atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance" (ASCUS) is controversial, not only for the clinical utility of its subcategories (favor reactive vs. favor dysplasia), but for its very existence as an expression of uncertainty. In the current study, the authors investigated the impact of reducing and eliminating this category on the sensitivity and predictive values for detecting squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs).METHODS: One hundred cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears originally diagnosed as ASCUS, all of which had histologic follow-up, were reviewed blindly and reclassified as either negative (within normal limits/benign cellular changes), low-grade SIL (LSIL), or high-grade SIL (HSIL) by 1 reviewer who eliminated ASCUS as a diagnostic possibility entirely. A second reviewer reinterpreted the cases but attempted to use the ASCUS diagnosis (favor reactive or favor dysplasia) sparingly. All histologic diagnoses were reviewed, and an adjudicated final diagnosis was established. Reviewed smear interpretations were correlated with the histologic diagnosis (original, reviewed, and adjudicated). Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test.RESULTS: Thirty-eight women had histologically confirmed SIL (21 LSIL cases and 17 HSIL cases [including 1 case of endocervical adenocarcinoma]); 31 of these 38 cases originally were classified as ASCUS, not otherwise specified, 1 case was classified as ASCUS favor reactive, and 6 cases were classified as ASCUS favor dysplasia. The reviewer who used the ASCUS diagnosis sparingly reclassified the smears as negative (62 cases); ASCUS, favor reactive (3 cases); ASCUS, favor dysplasia (13 cases); LSIL (19 cases); and HSIL (3 cases). The reviewer who eliminated the ASCUS category reclassified the smears as negative (59 cases), LSIL (29 cases), and HSIL (12 cases). The rate of SIL/HSIL in those cases interpreted as abnormal was 38%/17% originally, 42%/24% with a reduced ASCUS interpretation, and 37%/17% when the ASCUS category was eliminated. In those ASCUS smears that were reclassified as negative, the SIL/HSIL rate was 35%/13% with the reduced ASCUS interpretation and 39%/17% when the ASCUS category was eliminated. The sensitivity for detecting a SIL/HSIL was reduced from 100%/100% for the original ASCUS interpretation to 42%/53% for the reduced ASCUS interpretation to 39%/41% with the elimination of the ASCUS interpretation.CONCLUSIONS: Although in the current study utilization of the ASCUS diagnosis was found to result in a 62% negative or reactive outcome on biopsy, a significant number of patients with SIL were detected (38% in the current series, 17% with HSIL). Despite the improved correlation with negative biopsies, reducing or eliminating the ASCUS diagnosis appears to decrease the sensitivity of the Pap smear significantly and appears to be no better than chance at predicting a diagnosis of SIL on biopsy, including HSIL.     

Evaluation of quantity and staining pattern of human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected epithelial cells in thin-layer cervical specimens using optimized HPV-CARD assay

BACKGROUND: Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is used in the triage of women with a cervical cytology of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). A fluorescent in situ hybridization assay was developed for the detection of HPV using the catalyzed receptor deposition technique (HPV-CARD). In this study, the utility of this assay was tested for the detection of HPV in liquid-based cervical cytology specimens. METHODS: A total of 195 liquid-based cytology specimens were analyzed using the HPV-CARD assay. The results from the assay were compared with HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and typing results. The number of HPV-infected cells and the staining pattern was correlated with the cytology classification. RESULTS: A 91% concordance between HPV-CARD and PCR was observed for the detection of high-risk HPV viruses. A 78% concordance was observed for specimens that were negative for HPV. In ASCUS, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) categories, the average number of HPV-positive cells per slide was 19 cells, 127 cells, and 450 cells, respectively. The number of cells with a punctate staining, suggestive of HPV integration, was 21% in ASCUS, 34% in LSIL, and 46% in HSIL specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicate positive correlations between the severity of the disease and the increased overall quantity of HPV-positive epithelial cells in cervical cytology specimens and accumulation of cells with punctate staining suggestive of integrated HPV. In summary, the developed HPV-CARD assay was found to provide novel information regarding the proportion and staining pattern of HPV-infected epithelial cells in different cytologic categories of cervical specimens.     

Comparison of the SurePath liquid-based Papanicolaou smear with the conventional Papanicolaou smear in a multisite direct-to-vial study

BACKGROUND: Split-sample clinical trials for liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) smears demonstrated that the liquid-based Pap smear was a safe and effective replacement for the conventional Pap smear. However, clinical intended use of liquid-based technology employs direct-to-vial collection methods. The current study compared the cytologic detection rates of the liquid-based Pap smear with conventional Pap smears in a direct-to-vial study performed at three clinical sites. METHODS: Data from 58,580 prospective SurePath slides and 58,988 historic conventional slides were collected. Results were statistically compared with regard to disease prevalence and adequacy to include biopsy follow-up data for conventional and SurePath tests. RESULTS: The SurePath method was found to provide a statistically significantly greater detection rate for clinically important categories of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL+) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL+) (64% and 107%, respectively; P < 0.00001 for each lesion) compared with conventional slides. The clinical significance of increased cytologic detection using SurePath was supported by biopsy data that essentially demonstrated concordance with regard to biopsy interpretation for HSIL+ (P = 0.9105 at Site 1; P = 1.0000 at Site 2; and P = 1.0000 at Site 3) and LSIL+ (P = 0.6966 at Site 1; P = 0.8052 at Site 2; and P = 1.00 at Site 3). The detection rate of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS+) was found to be significantly increased (75.12%; P < 0.00001). A statistically significantly lower proportion of unsatisfactory slides using the SurePath test compared with conventional slides was noted (-58%; P < 0.00001). The ASCUS/LSIL+ ratio was found to be reduced overall when using SurePath (-28.9%), regardless of whether the study sites were combined or considered individually. The rate of false-negative results noted with SurePath (10.43%) and conventional slides (12.97%) was essentially equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: The SurePath Pap smear was found to outperform conventional slides in the detection of HSIL+ and LSIL+ cytologic lesions of the cervix and reduced the number of unsatisfactory diagnoses. The HSIL+ advantage for SurePath is not limited to HSIL but appears to extend to carcinoma as well.     

Significance of the Cytological Signs of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Anal Pap Smears of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Japanese Men Who Have Sex with Men

Purpose: The incidence of invasive anal cancer (IAC) has been increasing among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Although cytological diagnosis is the modality of choice for screening cases of IAC, it is associated with lower sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate new cytological signs of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that may contribute to improving anal cytology. Methods: Anal cytology and HPV testing were performed using SurePath liquid-based cytology on samples obtained from 37 HIV-positive Japanese MSM. Subsequently, a histological biopsy based on high-resolution anoscopy was performed in MSM with abnormal cytological findings indicative of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) +. Also, anal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears were performed to determine cellularity, presence of dysplastic squamous cells, and other cytological signs of HPV infection. Results: Of the 37 MSM who underwent anal cytology, six tested negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, three cases exhibited ASC-US, 17 exhibited low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), nine exhibited high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and two remained undiagnosed. The anal Pap smears of 28 (96.6%) of the 29 MSM with abnormal cytological findings of ASC-US+ exhibited anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), as revealed by histological biopsy. The median value (minimum–maximum) of the cellularity of anal Pap smears was 12 (0–70.5) nsc/hpf. In 26 MSM with LSIL and HSIL, the median dysplastic squamous cells count was 14 (2–152) dsc/smear and the cytological sign of HPV infection was 11 (2–71) hpv/smear. Of all anal Pap smears that revealed ASC-US+, 96.6% exhibited cytological signs of HPV infection. Compression-positive binucleated cells were the most prevalent among all cytological signs of HPV infection. Conclusion: For anal cytology, instead of considering a small number of dysplastic squamous cells, screening based on cytological signs of HPV infection may be beneficial for improving the diagnosis of AIN.     

Should LSIL‐H be a distinct cytology category?

BACKGROUND:

The 2001 Bethesda System for gynecologic cervical cytology reporting classifies squamous intraepithelial lesions into low‐grade (LSIL) and high‐grade (HSIL) lesions. An intermediate term, “low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL‐H),” has been used in a small percentage of LSIL cases. To the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) status in patients with LSIL‐H.

METHODS:

A total of 808 SurePath specimens obtained between December 2009 and April 2011 were tested for 40 HPV genotypes using DNA microarray, followed by a confirmatory DNA sequencing assay.

RESULTS:

The infection rate for high‐risk HPV in women with LSIL‐H (92%) was strikingly close to that for women with HSIL (91%), which was higher than that for those with LSIL (74%); atypical squamous cells, cannot rule out high‐grade lesion (ASC‐H) (78%); or LSIL and ASC‐H combined (74%). HPV type 16, the most common carcinogenic HPV genotype, was detected in 36% of women with LSIL‐H, which was significantly higher than that in women with LSIL and ASC‐H combined (13.8%), but less than that in women with HSIL (44.6%). Patients with LSIL‐H and HSIL had similar infection rates for low‐risk/intermediate‐risk HPV genotypes, which were lower than those in LSIL or LSIL and ASC‐H combined.

CONCLUSIONS:

Women found to have LSIL‐H on a Papanicolaou test appear to have a unique HPV distribution pattern that clearly differs from LSIL and is comparable to that for HSIL, suggesting an increased risk of high‐grade lesions over that of women with LSIL. Recognizing LSIL‐H as an independent diagnostic category may help in the early identification of the high‐risk subgroup that may require a management algorithm comparable to that for patients with HSIL. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Risk factors for squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the cervix among women residing at the US-Mexico border

It is now well established that cervical cancer is caused by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections that commonly infect women worldwide. What remains to be understood are the factors that contribute to cervical cancer in the presence of HPV infection. We conducted a case-control analysis of women recruited at the US-Mexico border to simultaneously evaluate factors associated with 3 cytologic outcomes: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS/AGUS), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). A cross-sectional binational study of 2059 women ages 15-79 years was conducted between 1997 and 1998. A significant difference in the distribution of cytologic categories by country was observed (3.0% vs. 0.7% HSIL among Mexican vs. US women, respectively). The only factors independently associated with all 3 cytologic outcomes were HPV infection and viral load. A linear increase in risk with increasing viral load was observed for each of the 3 outcome variables, with the strength of this association increasing with cytology abnormality. In addition to HPV infection, parity and Mexico as a country of residence appear to be associated with LSIL and HSIL, respectively. Factors associated with cytologic outcomes in analyses limited to women with HPV infection were similar to results obtained in models where HPV infection was included as a covariate. Future work is needed to evaluate the predictive value of HPV viral load utilizing more specific and quantitative measures.     

High-risk and multiple human papillomavirus infections associated with cervical abnormalities in Japanese women.

To estimate the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection for cervical malignancies, we conducted a case-control study in Japan. Abnormal cervical cell (366) and normal cell samples (1562) were tested for the presence of HPV DNA using a new PCR-based test (LCR-E7 PCR). When single HPV infections were considered, 26 different HPV types were identified in normal cervices and in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL); whereas HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58 and -67 were detected in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix, and HPV-16 and -18 were detected in cervical adenocarcinoma. HPV-6 and -11 were detected in condyloma acuminatum tissue. In HSIL and SCC, HPV-16 was the most prevalent type and HPV-51, -52, and -58 were the next most prevalent; whereas HPV-39, -59, and -68 were not detected. Analysis by odds ratio (OR) revealed that HPV-11, -39, -42, -44, -53, -59, -62, and -66 (HPV-66: OR,139; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.7-168) were associated with LSIL; HPV-16, -18, -31, -51, -52 and -58 (HPV-16: OR, 69; 95%CI = 36-131) were associated with SCC; and HPV-16 and -18 (OR, 94; 95% CI = 28-317) were associated with adenocarcinoma. Multiple HPV infection was associated with LSIL (OR, 24; 95%CI = 13-44), HSIL (OR, 16; 95%CI = 8.4-32), and SCC (OR, 8.3; 95%CI = 3.2-22), although the prevalence decreased with the grade of the lesions. All results suggest that HPV-6 and -11 are condyloma types, HPV-16, -18, -31, -51, -52, -58, and perhaps -33, -35, -45, -56, and -67, are the high-risk HPV types, and many other types are LSIL-associated types in Japan. HPV typing and detection of multiple HPV infections in clinical samples may be useful as surrogate markers for cervical cell abnormalities.