Cytological distinction between high-risk and low-risk human papillomavirus infections in SurePath liquid-based cell preparations
- 1Compuscreen Medical Diagnostic Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China
- 2Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Dr G Leung, Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong; gina.leung{at}inet.polyu.edu.hk
- Accepted 19 August 2008
- Published Online First 29 August 2008
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the correlation of various diagnostic cytological features in SurePath liquid-based cell preparations with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Methods: Case–control study. SurePath specimens from 510 cases that had been tested for HPV DNA by Hybrid Capture 2 assay were retrieved and re-examined for 10 cytological features. Distribution of these features in high- and low-risk HPV types was compared and risk statistics were estimated. Effects of cervicitis on the manifestation of HPV cytological changes were adjusted by means of logistic regression.
Results: Cytological features of nuclear hyperchromasia, multinucleation and atypical metaplastic cells were predominantly noted in high-risk HPV infection in the category of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The odds ratios of these three features were 6–12 times higher in high-risk than low-risk HPV infection.
Conclusions: Some diagnostic cytological features can be used as markers in Pap smear screening for assessing the types of HPV infection.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
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Ethics approval: Ethics approval was obtained from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
