title: A new era for the Pap test.
abstract: Utilization of liquid-based Pap testing is a significant improvement in women's health care. Increased diagnostic sensitivity and improvement of specimen adequacy are seen with its use. When combined with HPV testing, the uncertainty associated with waiting for additional testing is eliminated and additional unnecessary procedures, such as colposcopy, can be reduced. This relatively simple collection system will allow significant advances in molecular epidemiology and, in the future, development of a molecular Pap test.
authors.affiliation: Center for Quality Improvement in Gynecologic Cytopathology, Cytotechnology Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Holladay
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014481:United States; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*