The Hybrid Capture 2 Results in Correlation with the Pap Test, Sexual Behavior, and Characteristics of Romanian Women

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major cause of cervical cancer (CC); hence, it is critical to understand the processes by which HPV infection causes squamous intraepithelial lesions, as well as the proper diagnostic tools. The objective of this study was to establish the correlations between Pap test results and Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) tests findings. Materials and methods: This study included 169 women between the ages of 30 and 64, who presented for consultation in gynecological clinics in both the public and the private sectors. These women reported symptoms, such as abnormal vaginal discharge and genital irritation, as well as early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, history of other sexually transmitted infections or high-risk sexual partners, immunosuppression, or tobacco smoking. Pap tests and HPV testing, using the HC2 method, were performed for the women enrolled in the study, including data gathered after patients completed questionnaires concerning their sexual behavior. Results: The HC2 method revealed that 66 patients (39.1%) tested positive for high-risk HPV types. Of the patients with positive results, 14 (21.2%) presented Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) compared to 10 (9.7%) patients in the negative group (p = 0.042). Atypical Squamous Cells for which a high-grade lesion cannot be excluded (ASC-H) were identified primarily in women with positive HC2 (6.1%). HR-HPV positivity was substantially more associated with low-grade ASC-US or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and high-grade ASC-H cytology (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.10–5.80, respectively, OR = 14.9; 95%CI: 1.006–34.59). Unmarried women (31.8%; p = 0.004) and women with multiple partners (over four partners, 10.6%; p = 0.03) were more likely to have an HPV infection when compared to married women and those with fewer sexual partners. Conclusions: Understanding the epidemiology of HPV genital infections is essential for developing preventive measures against this infection and CC. Identifying the most prevalent HPV types, and determining the incidence of HPV oncogenic infections, in conjunction with Pap test results and sexual behavior information, can constitute part of an algorithm for the efficient management of cervical intraepithelial lesions.

Assessing the Level of Knowledge and Experience Regarding Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening among Roma Women in Romania

“…HPV infection is an important condition but is insufficient for the development of CC. Numerous cofactors have been identified: first sexual intercourse at an early age, infections caused by Herpes simplex virus Type 2 or Chlamydia trachomatis, frequent change of sexual partners, long-term use of oral contraceptives, smoking, low intake of fruits and vegetables, obesity, multiple pregnancies, childbirth before the age of 17, and a family history of CC [27,37,38].…”

Actualización en el diagnóstico y manejo del virus del papiloma humano como prevención para el cáncer cervicouterino.

“…-La técnica de captura hibridade VPH, es una prueba recomendada para el diagnóstico y cribado de VPH de alto riesgo. La prueba consiste en hibridar molecularmente el ácido desoxirribonucleico mediante quimioluminiscencia de microplacas estandarizadas según el genoma de los siguientes subtipos de VPH 16,18,31,33,35,39 ,45,51,52,56,58,59 y 68, su sensibilidad es del 98% y especificidad del 83% (30). Cervista HPV HR y Cervista HPV 16/18.-la prueba cervista utiliza primers de oligonucleotidos a partir de la degradación enzimática de la nucleasa 5, su aplicación está dirigida a la reducción del sesgo de detección de falsos positivos, los principales genotipos que detecta son 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59, 66 y 68, al ser un método de cribado para disminuir falsos positivos su senilidad es del 100% (33).…”