Human papillomavirus-DNA test in patients with abnormal cervical smears: A tool to improve the detection of invasive cervical cancer in early stages

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in developing countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be detected in 99.7% of cervical cancers. Its detection can be used as a tool to detect women, at risk for consequent development of cervical cancer. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV in women with or without cervicitis and to evaluate the associated risk factors.Materials and Methods:A total of 66 patients who met with the inclusion criteria were included as case group. Thirty cytologically normal cervical smears were also included as a control and were collected from asymptomatic patients. Two cervical specimens were collected for Pap smear and HPV 16/18 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:In the case group, 45.5% of patients had abnormal cervical cytological findings and majority of them had one or more menstrual abnormalities and vaginal infection, as compared to control group (P < 0.5). 13.6% of patients were HPV-PCR positive in the case group compared with none in the control group. In the HPV-positive group, the mean age was of 50.26 ± 13.293 years, while in the HPV-negative group, it was 35.29 ± 8.768 years (P < 0.0001). The rate of positivity of HPV-DNA test increased as the severity of dysplastic changes increased in cervical cytology.Conclusion:HPV-DNA testing should be used as an adjunct to Pap smears for the detection of cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer at its early stages.