Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assay as an adjunct to liquid-based Pap test in the diagnostic triage of women with an abnormal Pap smear.
OBJECTIVE
The diagnostic performance and clinical value of the combined use of liquid-based Pap test and human papillomavirus testing were determined in 336 patients with a previous abnormal smear.


METHODS
Subsequent histologic evaluation was used as definitive diagnosis.


RESULTS
The combined use of liquid-based Pap test and HPV DNA testing showed higher rates in sensitivity (99.0%), specificity (59.3%), positive predictive value (89.9%) and negative predictive value (94.5%) than either cytology alone (sensitivity 98.8%, specificity 45.7%, positive predictive value 84.7%, negative predictive value 92.6%) or HPV DNA testing alone (sensitivity 84.9%, specificity 67.4%, positive predictive value 88.8%, negative predictive value 59.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy for cervical cancer and its precursors was improved by using the liquid-based Pap test as a primary diagnostic procedure and HPV assay as an adjunctive test. This information may assist the clinicians in triaging patients with equivocal cytologic cervical atypias.
Vassilakos
P
P
Center for Cytology and Clinical Pathology, Geneva, Switzerland.
de Marval
F
F
Muñoz
M
M
Broquet
G
G
Campana
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*
D004279:DNA, Viral