Herpesvirus antigens as markers for cervical cancer

A total of 393 patients representing cervical atypias, cancers, and nonneoplastic disease have been studied. Cellular specimens have been stained with antisera raised against total herpes type 2 virus (HSV-2) and subfractions labeled crude AG-e, pure AG-e, ICP 12, and ICP 14. Reproducibility, statistical significance, false positive and false negative results, specificity, and sensitivity of the various antisera have been investigated. Correlation of immunocytostaining with Papanicolaou staining has been made. Usefulness of these markers in the detection and diagnosis of premalignant and malignant cervical epithelial changes for mass screening has been discussed. Using crude AG-e, pure AG-e, HSV-2, and HSV-1 antisera in a number of blind studies, no significant differences were found in the reproducibility of results. Observations indicated that a minimum of 30 cells must be analyzed to make data amenable to statistical analysis. Exfoliated cells from 62, 75, 77, and 94% of patients respectively diagnosed as mild, moderate, and marked atypia, and cancer were studied with antisera against total HSV-2. Similar results were observed with antisera against pure AG-e. No patient reacted with anti-AG-e or anti-HSV-1 antiserum in the absence of reactivity to antisera against total HSV-2 antigens. Studies using anti-ICP 12 and -ICP 14 antigens established the wide and specific staining character of anti-HSV-2 antisera. Morphologic preservation of cells by Papanicolaou staining after the FA procedures was considered satisfactory for diagnostic purposes. Our studies indicated the potential usefulness of anti-HSV-2 and anti-AG-e antisera in mass cervical cancer screening programs and cytology automation.