In the presence of symptoms and signs of illness, doctors prescribe many laboratory tests to confirm the assumptions and make a diagnosis. In the list of appointments, patients can find an HPV analysis: what it is, why and when it is prescribed - not everyone can answer.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus, HPV is a whole group of virus-like infectious diseases that are widespread. Scientists know more than 100 types of this virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most are imperceptibly present in the body for a long time, causing transport. However, about 14 types of this virus are oncogenic - they cause the development of malignant neoplasms. At diagnosis, physicians are always aware of the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, which determines further actions, and the nature of the treatment.
Human papillomavirus - types
The papillomavirus is usually divided into types depending on the risk of causing the development of oncology. Taking this factor into account, there are three main groups of HPV:
- Non-oncogenenever cause the development of malignant tumors.
- Low oncogenic riskmay cause cancer to develop under certain conditions: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
- High oncogenic risk- when infected with these types of HPV, it is difficult to avoid the development of malignant tumors. Oncogenic human papillomaviruses: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted?
Knowing how papillomavirus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. In practice, however, it is difficult to avoid. In the vast majority of cases, the transmission occurs with the onset of sexual activity: intercourse is the most important way of transmitting the virus. Its transfer can also be performed during a kiss when there are microcracks and scratches on the surface of the lips. You can also become infected if you break the hygiene rules while visiting public places:
- saunas;
- pool:
- bade;
- and also when using someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when the baby passes through the mother's infected pathways during birth. Experts do not rule out the possibility of transmission of the virus by contact: it is unstable, but it is able to maintain some activity.Among the factors that cause HPV infection:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- a large number of sexual partners;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- impaired immunity.
Human papillomavirus - symptoms
Human papillomavirus can be invisibly present in the body for a long time. According to experts, the incubation period can last from 2 months to 2 years. The disease continues imperceptibly: there are no clinical symptoms, and the main diagnostic methods show the norm. One in three patients, thanks to their immune system, recovers within 6-12 months from the moment of infection.
The clinic for HPV damage to the body is reduced to the appearance of skin formations. Patients notice papillomas, warts and condylomas on their skin. Their location may be different and corresponds to the site of penetration of the virus into the body: genitals, surface of hands, lips. These formations resemble papillary outgrowths, sometimes outwardly resembling cauliflower. The outgrowth is painless, but with friction and injuries they can cause pain and bleeding.
Why do I need an HPV test?
Having told about the virus, let's move on to information about the HPV assay: what kind of research it is, how it is performed, and in what cases it is prescribed. To begin with, we note that if a human papillomavirus is suspected, the assay helps to confirm or disprove the assumptions. Research of this kind has the following objectives:
- identification of high oncogenic HPV;
- confirmation / denial of persistence of a particular type of HPV;
- assessment of the risk of cancer in patients with dysplasia of the epithelial layer of the cervix.
In addition to the mentioned reasons for the study, the HPV test (whatever it is - listed above) can be displayed in the following cases:
- Primary screening for cervical cancer in women over 30.
- Evaluation of the results of the performed surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Doubtful results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests should I take for HPV?
There are several methods to determine the presence of papillomavirus in the body. But in most cases, doctors resort to PCR. If it is necessary to pass an HPV test, patients will undergo this study directly. Various biological body fluids can be used as material for research:
- blood;
- urine;
- amniotic fluid (when diagnosing a disease during pregnancy).
Talking about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, it is necessary to note the possibility of studying tissue material. So during colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the lining of the cervix. The presence of small papillomas on them is direct evidence of HPV damage to the body. For confirmation, a small piece of tissue is examined under a microscope to rule out malignancy.
HPV diagnostic methods
HPV diagnostics is a set of measures aimed at determining the presence of the virus and determining its type. The following techniques are used for this purpose:
- Digene test- modern precise method. With its help, it is possible to determine the concentration of the virus in the body, the type and oncogenicity. Material for research is abrasion from the lining of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in combination with cytology.
- PCR diagnostics of HPV- a simple and affordable method of diagnosis that is widespread. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. Assumes detection of viral DNA traces in the sample.
- Cytological examinationexamination of the smear under a microscope. The assessment criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - dyskeratocytes and coilocytes.
- Detection of antibodies to HPV- helps identify virus infection in the early stages. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to determine the concentration and type of virus.
- Histological examination - examination of a sample of the affected tissue to determine the type of HPV and its oncogenicity.
Human papillomavirus - how to get tested?
Before the examination, even during the issuance of the referral, the doctors tell the patient in detail how the HPV test is taken in a particular case. Depending on the methods and study materials used, the analysis algorithm may vary. Preparation for research is of great importance. Proper implementation of all points in the preparatory actions allows you to achieve objective results of the analysis and eliminate the need for repeated implementation.
Preparation for HPV analysis
Prior to the analysis of HPV, the patient must meet a number of conditions. In this case, the research method and the type of analysis material are of crucial importance. It is represented by:
- blood;
- urine;
- a cotton swab from the vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid being examined, the patient is given recommendations on how to prepare for the analysis the day before. The examinee's task is to fully follow the preparation rules. This will avoid getting false results, and in some cases false positives, when the result indicates the presence of HPV in its absence.
HPV blood test
Speaking of how the HPV test is taken, it should be noted that in most cases, the patient's blood is used for it. The examination is performed on an empty stomach: 10-12 hours before the expected time of ingestion of the material, the patient must not eat; as a drink you can use plain water without gas. 2-3 days before the day of analysis, it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty foods and junk food. Only in this case, the diagnosis of HPV with blood will allow you to obtain accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is more often used to examine the fair sex. Before women are tested for HPV, they are prepared for this study. The doctor introduces the patient in detail to all the rules of preparation.In this process, the following important points can be highlighted:
- A smear is taken before the start of the antibiotic course or 2, 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
- On the day of sampling, it is forbidden to perform a toilet of the external genitalia with chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to shower, to go into vaginal suppositories.
- One day before taking the material, refrain from intercourse.
- It is ideal to take an analysis in the middle of the cycle; it is forbidden to perform an examination during the ovulation period.
Decoding of HPV analysis
Only a doctor can correctly interpret the results of an HPV test. The specialist assesses not only the quantitative value of the indicators, but also the clinical picture, possible signs of infection. Getting a complete picture of what is happening helps in choosing the right drugs and choosing effective treatment methods. At the same time, it is important to take into account the seriousness of timely diagnosis and treatment: with the age of the patient, the risk of developing malignant neoplasms increases.
Quantitative HPV analysis
When an HPV test is performed using quantitative analysis, decoding involves determining the concentration of virus at the time of the study. This helps determine the correct tactics for patient care. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) measures the amount of HPV DNA in a test sample. This is necessary for continuous dynamic monitoring of a specific type of human papillomavirus.
However, even those who know the HPV assay, what it is, and how it is performed cannot independently decipher the results. This should be done in conjunction with the examination of the patient and other examinations. In the assessment, experts adhere to the following interpretation of indicators:
- lg< 3- the risk of developing dysplasia is low;
- lg 3-5a clinically significant result that is at risk of developing cervical dysplasia;
- lg >5high probability of dysplasia, possibly the initial stage of the disease.
Qualitative HPV analysis
HPV analysis of high oncogenic risk is performed using this technique. Helps identify 16th and 18th type HPV. These forms of the virus often cause genital cancer in women and squamous cell carcinoma, genital warts, and cervical dysplasia. The detection efficiency of HPV DNA reaches 98%. The conclusion suggests an answer with an indication of each type of virus. There are two possible outcomes: found / not found.