Direct-to-vial experience with AutoCyte PREP in a small New England regional cytology practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and assess the efficiency and efficacy of the AutoCyte PREP thin-layer Pap test method (TriPath Imaging, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina) in a privately owned cytology laboratory.


METHODS
Data from 35,496 conventional Pap smear preparations performed in 1999 were compared to 6,357 conventional Pap smears and 15,534 AutoCyte PREP cases that were collected, prepared and processed from January 1 to July 31, 2000.


RESULTS
The AutoCyte PREP demonstrated a statistically significant increased detection of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) (47%) (P = .0011) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) (116%) (P = .0002) when compared to conventional Pap smears processed during the same time period. When compared to the conventional Pap smears from 1999, the LSIL lesions increased by 57% (P < .00001), and the HSIL lesions increased by 55% (P = .0002). Both increases are statistically significant. The atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/LSIL ratio was reduced by 48% (P < .00001) using AutoCyte PREP when compared to the 1999 conventional Pap smear experience. The unsatisfactory rate was reduced by 70%. AutoCyte PREP demonstrated improved histologic correlation in HSIL cases.


CONCLUSIONS
AutoCyte PREP was significantly more effective than the conventional Pap smear for the detection of both LSIL and HSIL. The ASCUS/LSIL ratio and unsatisfactory cases were also significantly reduced.
Marino
J F
JF
Seacoast Pathology P.A., 1 Hampton Road, Suite 108, Exeter, NH 03833, USA.
Fremont-Smith
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003585:Cell Biology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009513:New Hampshire; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*