Background. Little importance has been placed on sustainability of the Papanicolaou (Pap) stain, the gold standard for the diagnosis of cervical cancer, for global environmental health. The standard Pap stain uses environmentally toxic and carcinogenic reactants such as xylene, hydrochloric acid and ammonia solution. Objectives. To eradicate the use of environmentally toxic and carcinogenic reactants through the validation of the Ecologic Papanicolaou (Eco-Pap) test. Methods. Reagent handling strategies were divided in three phases: used Harris' progressive hematoxilin, polychromatic solution and direct mounting that were analyzed by PEEDCytology, Staining Quality Index (ICT) and the Bethesda system 2014. Results. A total of 52,319 Pap smears stained with Eco-Pap were admitted (ICT=0.91). Validation of the Eco-Pap versus conventional staining was optimal (Kappa =0.89) and the sensitivity and specificity of the method were 57% and 98%, respectively. Eco-Pap reduced the environmental contamination produced by xylene (66 liters), hydrochloric acid and ammonia (5.5 liters each) over nine months, and all diagnoses coincided with the cytological details. Conclusions. The Eco-Pap is an innovative method that transforms Pap testing into a sustainable and supportable technology.

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Objectives: To validate the modification of the prolonged Papanicolaou stain based on the quality control of time, units and staining stages (micro- and macroscopic), and on the stain reactivation based on the control. Study Design: A prospective study was performed on 125,358 cervical smears in Lima (Peru). The microscopic quality control included evaluating the cytological characteristics through the staining quality index (SQI) and the quality criteria for samples described by the Bethesda System (TBS). The macroscopic quality control is based on the interslide staining as a set corresponding to a poststaining vertical angle. The stains were reactivated with the addition of 0.15 and 2 g of phosphotungstic acid for Orange G and EA-50, respectively. Results: Both the nonneoplastic and the neoplastic findings comply with the quality criteria of the TBS (SQI value = 0.94). The yield per battery of staining fluctuated between 5,616 and 17,954 Pap smears, and the reactivation of stains produced a stain yield of up to four times the initial amount of the smears, saving USD 5,598.88 from 2013 to 2014. Conclusion: The modification of prolonged Papanicolaou staining is an excellent alternative, with a cost-benefit ratio that generates savings and a higher yield per battery of staining.

Objectives: To validate the ecological modification of the Papanicolaou stain (Eco-Pap) for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Study Design: A prospective study was performed at the Mother and Child “San Bartolomé” Hospital, Lima, Peru. Reagent handling strategies were divided into three phases: we used (1) Harris progressive hematoxylin (for nuclear staining), (2) a polychromatic solution (a mix of EA-36/Orange G-6 to suppress the use of several alcohol baths), and (3) direct mounting (with Entellan® solution). The cellular details were analyzed by the staining quality index, an external quality control, and the Bethesda System 2014. Results: We evaluated 72,901 cervical smears stained with the Eco-Pap. The validation of the Eco-Pap against the conventional Pap stain was optimal (κ = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.87–0.92), showing a sensibility and specificity of 88.3% (95% CI: 85.1–90.0) and 98.7% (95% CI: 98–99.2), respectively. The Eco-Pap dramatically reduced the environmental pollution caused by 72 L of xylene, hydrochloric acid, and ammonia (6 L each) and mercury oxide. Conclusion: The Eco-Pap is an innovative and efficient staining method reducing the use of toxic reagents with carcinogenic potential during cervical cancer screening by exfoliative cytology.

Artículo de reflexión RESUMENObjetivo: este documento busca hacer una reflexión sobre las tendencias en la investigación del Virus de Papiloma Humano (VPH) en Latinoaméri-ca en comparación con los países de altos-ingresos. Materiales y métodos: con base en la evaluación de estudios desarrollados en diversos países, discriminados por el grado de desarrollo económico y social, se da respuesta a preguntas relacionadas con el VPH en cuanto a: su frecuencia, las tendencias de investigación, los programas de educación al personal de salud y los pacientes, y las estrategias preventivas. Para esto se realizó una extensa revisión de las investigaciones publicadas y los estudios presentados en el I Encuentro Sudamericano del VPH. Resultados: los esfuerzos para el desarrollo de investigación sobre VPH se reflejan en estudios básicos y aplicados sobre sobre VPH y cancer cervicouterino (CCU). Existen limitaciones en el desarrollo científico regional comparado con los países de ingresos altos que se evidencian en las tasas de prevalencia y vacunación. Se observan transfor- ABSTRACTObjective: This paper is intended to be a reflection on the trends in Human Papilloma Virus (VPH) research in Latin America, compared to high income countries. Materials and methods: Answers are provided regarding HPV in terms of frequency, research trends, education programmes for patients and healthcare staff, and preventive strategies. An extensive review was conducted of the published research and of the studies presented during the I South American Meeting on HPV.Results: Research work in HPV is focused on basic and applied studies on HVP and cervical cancer (CC). There are limitations to scientific development in our region compared to high income countries, and this is reflected in disease prevalence and vaccination rates. Prevention programs at each level