HIGH RISK HPV DETECTION IN PRECURSOR LESIONS OF CERVIX USING LBC SAMPLES.

Abstract

Background: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) was developed as an alternative to conventional cytology screening to improve specimen adequacy and sensitivity in detecting cervical abnormalities. High risk HPV (HR HPV) types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed (1) to compare the diagnostic efciency of liquid based cytology LBC and conventional tests in detecting cervical dysplasia and (2) detection of high risk HR HPV types 16 and 18 in cervical precursor lesions using liquid based cytology samples. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted from the year August 2014 – February 2019 at Basavatarakam Indoamerican Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderbad.A total of 200 women undergoing screening for cervical cancer were included in the study. HR-HPV 16 & 18 detection was done by Nested Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (NMPCR). Results: The area under the ROC curve for conventional Pap smear was 0.725 and LBC was 0.974, showing that the diagnostic accuracy of LBC method in diagnosing precursor lesions and carcinoma of cervix is better than the conventional Pap smear method. HR-HPV 16/18 were positive in 43/102 (42.2%) of cases. HPV 16 alone was positive in 32/43(74.4%), HPV 18 alone in 6/43 (13.9%) and both HPV-16 and HPV-18 were positive in 5/43 (11.6%) of the total HR-HPV positive cases. Conclusion: The detection rate of epithelial abnormalities and infections in LBC preparation was better than CPS. LBC samples can be used for HR-HPV genotype detection to explore new paradigms of screening strategies.